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Pet Medication Home -> Mosquitoes
Heartgard Plus is The #1
Choice Of Veterinarians For Heartworm Disease Prevention! Heartgard
Plus also Treats and Controls Roundworms and Hookworms.
MOSQUITOES ARE
A HAZARD TO YOUR PET'S HEALTH TOO
by Scottie Johnson
None of us likes to be bitten by mosquitoes and sometimes
it is easy to forget that our pets suffer from mosquito bites too.
Mosquitoes feed on blood, and they will take it where
they can find it. Only the female bites, the males feed on plant
nectar. While the female may have preferred hosts, she must have
protein from blood to produce eggs. And, one blood meal is often
not enough to produce a clutch of eggs. Often the female will feed,
rest to digest the meal and feed again up to three times before
she can get enough protein to produce her eggs.
So, each time your pet is outside in mosquito territory,
it is a sitting target for a hungry female mosquito that is eager
to reproduce.
Many species of mosquitoes will choose birds over
humans or pets, but they have even been known to feed on frogs and
other reptiles, if that is what they can find for a blood meal.
Most responsible pet owners know of the hazards from
mosquito bites associated with heartworm disease in cats and dogs.
Mosquitoes carry parasite larvae, which they transmit to your pet
once they bite. The parasite larvae then migrate to the heart and
major circulatory organs in your pet, where it develops into an
adult worm that can reach ten inches in length.
The problem with heartworms is that they can take
many years to develop into an adult that can cause symptoms in your
cat or dog. Dogs are usually more at risk than cats, simply because
they are usually outdoors more often. By the time the symptoms develop,
treatment is long and difficult. Sometimes the pet owner is unaware
of the problem until the animal simply dies during exertion, a tragic
ending that is very preventable.
Protection against heartworms is as easy as a trip
to your veterinarian. Many effective medicines, which are given
orally, can prevent development of the larvae, if an infected mosquito
bites your pet. The biggest failure of these medicines is pet owner
default. They must be administered faithfully once per month with
no lapse in treatment. And, just because it seems like mosquito
season is at bay, don't lapse and forget to give your pet its dose.
Many mosquitoes over-winter in protected places and they arouse
ready to bite long before you might expect them.
Luckily, it is now possible to get a shot for your
pet that will afford protection against heartworms for up to six
months. Even diligent and caring pet owners can sometimes forget
about the narrow window of opportunity for administering the oral
medication. This new advancement spares you and your pet the risky
aftermath of those lapses.
Now, pet owners have an even greater concern about
mosquito bites to their pets. While rare, West Nile virus has been
reported in both dogs and cats. There are very few reported cases
of pet fatalities in dogs and cats, but the risk still exists. Instead,
most of the time, the animal may test positive for the virus, without
having symptoms.
If your pet has West Nile virus, it may have the following
symptoms: fever, depression or lethargy, muscle weakness or spasms,
impaired coordination, seizures or paralysis. If your pet has these
symptoms, consult your veterinarian immediately.
Bird and horse owners should be much more concerned.
West Nile virus is primarily fatal to many bird species. Crows,
for example, are very susceptible to fatal cases. Sparrows, on the
other hand, easily contract it, but have no symptoms. And, migratory
birds like sparrows help to continue the spread of the virus because
they are highly mobile.
Of those birds that are kept as pets, parrots, cockateels
and parakeets are most at risk. The risk factor is lower because
they are seldom outside. If your home is well sealed and has good
screens, these pets should be easily protected, if kept indoors.
Horse owners are now able to protect their horses
with a very effective vaccine. Horses are particularly susceptible
to mosquito borne viruses, and it is difficult to keep them away
from outdoor exposure, even in barns and stalls. No such vaccine
exists for smaller animals.
The same thing that protects you against mosquito
diseases also protect your pets.
Prevention!
Keep your home and yard mosquito free by being sure
that mosquitoes don't have places to breed. Avoid allowing any water
to stand in containers, like buckets, birdbaths, pet bowls, gutters,
storm drains, and plant saucers. Many mosquitoes need only ¼ cup
of water to breed.
The FDA has traditionally advised keeping your pet
indoors around dawn and dusk, because that is when many mosquito
species feed. That advice is no longer enough to protect your pet.
The Asian tiger mosquito is an aggressive day biter. It was imported
to the United States in 1985 and is now found in 30 states. It carries
both West Nile virus and heartworm parasites.
Instead, get rid of any possible breeding sites and
also get a good pet insect repellant. Mosquito repellants made for
humans are not to be used on pets. Never put any repellant on pets
that is not DEET free. Instead get a repellant that is made for
veterinary use and apply only according to directions. With your
pets, you have to assume they may lick treated areas and you can't
afford to take a chance that the repellant may be toxic to them.
For example, tea tree oil is a good natural mosquito
repellent for humans, but it has proved fatal to some cats that
have licked it off of their fur.
And, consider getting a propane powered mosquito trap
to reduce mosquito populations in your yard. They are very effective,
although expensive, but actually kill hundreds of mosquitoes if
used according to the manufacturers directions. Over time these
devices can actually decrease mosquito populations.
Mosquitoes are here to stay. Our best defense for
our pets is to know how to avoid them, and how to keep our pets
safe using the latest scientific advances. And, many of the things
we do to protect our pets from mosquito borne diseases are good
for us too.
__________________________
Scottie Johnson is a recognized expert on the topic
of personal mosquito protection. She is the author of numerous articles
on this topic. Author Profile
With a simple veterinary visit,
pet owners can obtain a heartworm treatment like Heartgard Plus
(ivermectin/pyrantel), the number one veterinarian-recommended heartworm
preventive. This simple monthly treatment protects against heartworm,
as well as controls intestinal parasites, like roundworms and hookworms.
Additionally, HEARTGARD Plus is the only heartworm treatment in
a real-beef Chewable that dogs and cats love to take and owners
prefer to give.
What the vet says
Heartgard Plus is an extremely
effective drug for the prevention of parasites. Heartworms are
present in most parts of the United States and in many parts
of North America. |
Heartgard Plus Is The #1 Choice Of Veterinarians
For Heartworm Treatment! Only Heartgard Plus Comes In A Real-beef
Chewable That Dogs and Cats Love. Heartgard Plus Also Treats And
Controls Roundworms And Hookworms. It Is Approved For Use In Puppies
As Young As 6 Weeks, Small Dogs Regardless Of Weight, Pregnant Or
Breeding Bitches, Stud Dogs, And Collies. Heartgard Plus Is 100%
Effective Against Heartworms, And Treats And Controls Other Dangerous
Parasites. 6 Oral Monthly Doses.
Heartgard Plus FAQ
Generic Name
Ivermectin (eye-ver-mek’-tin) Plus
Brand Name(s)
Heartgard Plus (Merial), Iverhart Plus (Virbac)
What is this medication used for
Heartgard Plus is an anthelminthic (dewormer) used for the prevention
of heartworm disease in dogs. When combined with pyrantel pamoate
it is also used for treating roundworm and hookworm in dogs.
How Heartgard Plus should be used
Heartgard Plus is given once a month year round for the prevention
of heartworm disease. The usual dose of Heartgard Plus in dogs up
to 25 pounds is 68mcg/57mg, for 26-50 pounds is 136mcg/114mg and
for 51-100 pounds is 272mcg/227mg. Dogs over 100 pounds are given
a combination of tablets. The chewable tablets should be chewed.
They are not meant to be swallowed whole. For dogs that normally
swallow treats whole, the tablet can be broken into pieces. As an
alternate to year round dosing, this medication can be given during
the mosquito season and for one month after the season ends.
What are the side effects of Heartgard Plus
The side effects of Heartgard Plus are rare at the recommended heartworm
prevention dose. Higher doses in dogs may cause tremors, dilated
pupils, and loss of body weight or death. Side effects in cats include
agitation, loss of appetite, staggering, dilated pupils, tremors,
blindness and disorientation.
What special precautions are there
Heartgard Plus should not be used in animals allergic to it. Use
with caution in Collies. Heartworm testing should be performed prior
to the start of prevention therapy. If the animal is off Heartgard
Plus for 6 months or less, start the medication and test after 6
months since microfilaria, that take 6 months to mature, will result
in a positive test result. Because humans can contract roundworm,
hookworm and tapeworm from animals, it is important to maintain
good personal hygiene. It is also important to eliminate fleas on
the pet and in the household and to not feed the pet rodents or
uncooked meat or fish. To prevent reinfection, daily cleanup of
stools is recommended.
In the event of an overdose
Contact your veterinarian or veterinary emergency room. Symptoms
of overdose may include vomiting, diarrhea, and incoordination in
dogs.
How should I store this medication
Keep this medication in the original box. Do not remove the tablet
from the wrapper until ready to give the medicine. Store this medicine
at room temperature. Keep this medication out of the reach of children
and pets.
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