Heartgard: Dogs and Heartworm

Heartgard protects all dogs from heartworm disease. Adult dogs and puppies can get heartworms when infected mosquitoes bite them. Mosquitoes become infected when they pick up the heartworm larvae after biting an infected dog. The mosquitoes then transmit the larvae to each subsequent dog they bite. The heartworm larvae work their way into the bloodstream of the dog and navigate to his or her heart within about three months. The larvae become adult heartworms within six to seven months and begin producing larvae.

Adult heartworms are very large and can grow to be 12 inches or longer. They reside in the right chamber of a dog's heart. They can also live in the blood vessels that connect the heart to the lungs. Heartworms sometimes extend past the valves of the heart. They prevent the valves from opening and closing properly, which prevents the heart from pumping correctly. Heartworms block major blood vessels and impede the flow of oxygenated blood. Eventually, heartworms can end up in the pulmonary artery making it difficult for the dog to breathe, even while he's resting. Heartgard heartworm medicine for dogs kills the heartworm larvae before they have a chance to grow into adult heartworms. Even if a dog is infected multiple times by the same or by multiple mosquitoes, Heartgard protects dogs from heartworm disease.

If a dog does not take Heartgard and becomes infected with heartworm disease, he can suffer from serious health problems if the disease is not treated. While veterinarians do have ways of treating heartworm infection, there are often no symptoms until the very late stages of the disease. And, treatments typically involve arsenic and can be very uncomfortable for the dog and quite costly for the owner. In some cases, even with aggressive treatment, the heartworm infection is so severe that survival is not possible. Giving dogs Heartgard heartworm preventative once a month is a safe and easy way to prevent heartworm infection and unnecessary suffering and expense. Heartgard is safe for all dog breeds. And, it is also safe for senior dogs and puppies as young as six weeks.

Heartgard Once a Month for Dogs

Heartgard once a month for the life of the dog will help prevent him from getting heartworm disease. A dog can be infected multiple times, even by the same mosquito. Dogs that spend significant time outside during summer months are often bitten several times a day. This raises the likelihood of heartworm infection. Giving a dog Heartgard once a month will reduce the likelihood of infection. Even dogs in cold climates should be given Heartgard year-round. Heartgard heartworm medicine for dogs has a cumulative effect, which means that protection is provided even if a dose is administered late.