Monday, April 5, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Iverhart Plus: Heartworm Prevention
"What do heartworms do to the dog?
Adult worms: Adult worms cause disease by clogging the heart and major blood vessels leading from the heart. They interfere with the valve action in the heart. By clogging the main blood vessels, the blood supply to other organs of the body is reduced, particularly the lungs, liver and kidneys, leading to malfunction of these organs.
Most dogs infected with heartworms do not show any signs of disease for as long as two years. Unfortunately, by the time signs are seen, the disease is well advanced. The signs of heartworm disease depend on the number of adult worms present, the location of the worms, the length of time the worms have been present, and the degree of damage to the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys from the adult worms and the microfilariae.
The most obvious signs are a soft, dry, chronic cough, shortness of breath, weakness, nervousness, listlessness, and loss of stamina. All of these signs are most noticeable following exercise, when some dogs may even faint.
Listening to the chest with a stethoscope will often reveal abnormal lung and heart sounds. In advanced cases, congestive heart failure may be apparent and the abdomen and legs will swell from fluid accumulation. There may also be evidence of weight loss, poor condition, and anemia.
Severely infected dogs may die suddenly during exercise or excitement.
Microfilariae (Young worms): Microfilariae circulate throughout the body but remain primarily in the small blood vessels. Because they are as wide as the small vessels, they may block blood flow in these vessels. The body cells being supplied by these vessels are deprived of the nutrients and oxygen normally supplied by the blood. The lungs and liver are primarily affected.
Destruction of lung tissue leads to coughing. Cirrhosis of the liver causes jaundice, anemia, and general weakness because this organ is essential in maintaining a healthy animal. The kidneys may also be affected and allow poisons to accumulate in the body."
Source: http://www.sniksnak.com/doghealth/heartworms.html
Adult worms: Adult worms cause disease by clogging the heart and major blood vessels leading from the heart. They interfere with the valve action in the heart. By clogging the main blood vessels, the blood supply to other organs of the body is reduced, particularly the lungs, liver and kidneys, leading to malfunction of these organs.
Most dogs infected with heartworms do not show any signs of disease for as long as two years. Unfortunately, by the time signs are seen, the disease is well advanced. The signs of heartworm disease depend on the number of adult worms present, the location of the worms, the length of time the worms have been present, and the degree of damage to the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys from the adult worms and the microfilariae.
The most obvious signs are a soft, dry, chronic cough, shortness of breath, weakness, nervousness, listlessness, and loss of stamina. All of these signs are most noticeable following exercise, when some dogs may even faint.
Listening to the chest with a stethoscope will often reveal abnormal lung and heart sounds. In advanced cases, congestive heart failure may be apparent and the abdomen and legs will swell from fluid accumulation. There may also be evidence of weight loss, poor condition, and anemia.
Severely infected dogs may die suddenly during exercise or excitement.
Microfilariae (Young worms): Microfilariae circulate throughout the body but remain primarily in the small blood vessels. Because they are as wide as the small vessels, they may block blood flow in these vessels. The body cells being supplied by these vessels are deprived of the nutrients and oxygen normally supplied by the blood. The lungs and liver are primarily affected.
Destruction of lung tissue leads to coughing. Cirrhosis of the liver causes jaundice, anemia, and general weakness because this organ is essential in maintaining a healthy animal. The kidneys may also be affected and allow poisons to accumulate in the body."
Source: http://www.sniksnak.com/doghealth/heartworms.html
Iverhart Plus: Keeping Your Pet Healthy
What is the first thing you think about when getting a new pet? I can guarantee it is not Iverhart Plus or any other medicine for your new pet. All you are thinking about is your new pet. You are thinking how cute he/she is, how playful and funny he/she is being. When to feed them and how much to feed them. Definitely not about Iverhart Plus. But that is ok you are not supposed to be thinking about that. Keep thinking about the wonderful gift you have just recieved. Let your vet help you think about Iverhart Plus and the other medicine they need, after all that is their job. And they do a really great job at that, I know mine does.
So what is this Iverhart Plus I am Talking about. Simply put it is a heartworm and parasite prevention medicine for dogs. It is administered once a month and comes in a liver flavored pill. Here is the hard part. Some dogs might not like the taste of it. My dog, Loki, did not at first, but like most dogs, he will eat anything. I will Loki the pill as a treat and put it directly into his mouth. He will spit it out and then he will pick it back up and eat it, kind of funny if you watch him. He has a few funny quirks. But anyway, if your dog does not like it, then here are a few tricks:
1) Put it in his food. They might eat around it though.
2) Put it in some peanut butter. I have never met a dog who did not like peanut butter.
3) Hold your dogs mouth up in thew air and put it in the back off the throat. I do not use this because i do not want him to choke on it, but i have never heard of a dog choking using this method though.
4) Put it in any other "people" food you give your dog. Apples (no apple seeds), eggs, carrots, etc.
So what is this Iverhart Plus I am Talking about. Simply put it is a heartworm and parasite prevention medicine for dogs. It is administered once a month and comes in a liver flavored pill. Here is the hard part. Some dogs might not like the taste of it. My dog, Loki, did not at first, but like most dogs, he will eat anything. I will Loki the pill as a treat and put it directly into his mouth. He will spit it out and then he will pick it back up and eat it, kind of funny if you watch him. He has a few funny quirks. But anyway, if your dog does not like it, then here are a few tricks:
1) Put it in his food. They might eat around it though.
2) Put it in some peanut butter. I have never met a dog who did not like peanut butter.
3) Hold your dogs mouth up in thew air and put it in the back off the throat. I do not use this because i do not want him to choke on it, but i have never heard of a dog choking using this method though.
4) Put it in any other "people" food you give your dog. Apples (no apple seeds), eggs, carrots, etc.
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