How heartworm is spread.

First, let’s not lessen the danger of heartworms to your pup.  Treatment can be quite painful for him and will certainly be expensive for you. Left untreated heartworm is deadly. Prevention is as simple as a little pill (or natural alternatives mentioned below), so I urge you to dose your pet, but only when necessary.

Mosquitoes are carriers of the worm. When a mosquito bites an infected dog it ingests the heartworm larva. That larva is then transferred to an uninfected dog when the mosquito slurps up its next meal. (Don’t worry, it’s extremely rare for people to get heartworm though other species, including ferrets, cats and horses, can be infected). Here’s the thing! According to DVM, Diplomate (ACVIM) David H. Knight and PhD James B. Lok , specific conditions must exist in order for the larvae to develop in the mosquito so that they are able to pass on the parasite to another host.

Simply put, the weather must stay above 57F for about 30 consecutive days and nights for the larvae to reach maturation, when they can then be passed from the mosquito to another host. If temperatures remain above 80F for about 15 days and nights this will accelerate the maturation process.

When to give heartworm medicine.

So, it becomes apparent that heartworm has definite seasonal and geographical limitations. Where I live I only medicate my dogs for about eight months of the year because the weather is simply not conducive to the spread of the infestation.

It is also generally accepted that the pills are effective for 45 days, though recommended dosage is every 30 days. The monthly dosing cycle is easier to remember but keep this in mind – the “preventive” medicine is actually a cure. The pills contain a chemical pesticide that kills the larvae but which is also toxic to your pet. Side effects for the drug are vomiting, diarrhea,  lethargy, convulsions and seizures. Long term use may also cause liver and kidney breakdown, skin afflictions, arthritis and other degenerative problems.

Do you need to give heartworm medicine at all?

Dr. Jeffrey Levy DVM makes a compelling case for not using harsh chemical drugs and suggests that the best defense is simply to maintain a healthy animal and employ constitutional homeopathy. Another alternative is nosodes – homeopathic remedies derived from matter taken from a sick animal – which are considered quite safe and effective.

I actually use nosodes myself, with great success, for allergies. And,in light of what I’m learning about the dangers of heartworm medications, intend to ferret (I couldn’t help the pun) further into nosodes as an option for my pets. Meanwhile, I’m not ready to let go of the drugs just yet but will continue my 8-monthly, 45-day dosing routine and, of course, annual heartworm check-up.

“All animals, except man, know that the principal business of life is to enjoy it.” ~ Samuel Butler