Sunday, March 31, 2013

Information You Need as Your Dog Fights off Heartworms Naturally

By Geraldine Dimarco


Heartworm is a condition caused by bites of mosquitoes. Not all mosquitoes are contaminated but if it does carry this infection, it can transmit larvae into the animals tissue which travels to its bloodstream. When not treated immediately, the larva reaches adulthood and travels on to latch itself on its hosts vital organs. When this happens, results are oftentimes fatal to the dog.

It sounds scary doesn't it? Well, heartworm is a valid concern for all pet owners; however, there are simple heartworm natural prevention tips you can employ that will ensure that your dog will not have to suffer this condition.

The main point in avoiding heartworm is to make your dog as healthy as you can. Do this by engaging him in regular exercise and supplying him with fresh and vitamin-rich fare. Most commercial pet foods have processed chemicals that are bad for the animals well-being. Feed him a diet of raw meat, vegetables and servings of fruit instead.

The circulatory system of the animal is integral to his health. Keep his heart in prime condition with regular physical activity you can enjoy with your dog. Strong white blood cells that fight infection strengthen the canines immune system. A good working liver is another organ that you need for an excellent immune system so consider taking recommended supplements that improves liver function.

Common sense tells us that dogs will not contract heartworms if mosquitoes do not infect them. In line with this, there are heartworm natural prevention herbs that repel them. Some of these are: Black Walnut, Spearmint Herb, Turmeric Root and Garlic. Garlic and Heartworms will not go well together because the pungent smell of garlic is repugnant to mosquitoes.

Dogs under the 50 pound mark can have approximately half a teaspoon of garlic added to his meals daily. Heavier dogs can increase this dosage to up to 2 teaspoons but discuss with your vet or an animal expert before proceeding. Ingestion of excessive garlic is harmful to animals. You can also blend together crushed garlic and water to make a spray to cover your dog's fur or areas around the house that seem to gather most mosquitoes.

While the smell of garlic can successfully drive away pesky mosquitoes, we do not want to assault the olfactory senses of our family and visiting friends. Experiment with a more pleasant repellant by mixing together 10 ounces of distilled water with 10 tablespoons of rose geranium oil, 3 drops of lavender oil, 3 drops of citronella oil and a tablespoon of alcohol-based black walnut extract. Put this concoction in a spray bottle and apply around areas where there are plenty of mosquitoes.

The natural preventive measures detailed above are better than the conventional medications administered to prevent heartworms. These do not really prevent, but kill the infections which make them toxic to the dog in general. Bi-annual tests with the vet for heartworms are recommended so early detection can be treated accordingly.




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