Protect your Dog and Family
from Roundworms

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Heartgard Plus is The #1 Choice Of Veterinarians For Control of Roundworms.

How to Protect your Dog and Family from Roundworms.

Author: Jennifer Bryant

Nearly every puppy in the world is born with roundworms. This is because the roundworm's larvae are transmitted from the mother to the puppy while it is still in the womb. A female dog can harbor roundworms in her tissue, often making them immune to dewormings. The roundworms then have the opportunity to emerge during pregnancy through the mother's bloodstream and infect the unborn puppies. Roundworms can also be transmitted to newborn puppies through the mother's milk during nursing.

Roundworms are also easily transmitted to humans. Young children are most susceptible because they are always sticking their fingers in their mouths! Roundworms are transmitted to humans and dogs through eggs that are in a dog or puppy's stool. They can either be ingested through direct eating of the stool or by eating something else that has eaten the stool (the dog eats a bird, mouse, etc. that has eaten the dog's stool).

Everyone should wash their hands frequently after handling the puppy or dog and make sure that all faeces is removed from the yard and disposed of on a daily basis. Most infections in people are mild and cause no symptoms at all. However there have been cases of worms migrating to the liver, brain, and eyes.

Symptoms of roundworms in humans include:

• Anemia
• Appetite Loss
• Difficulty Breathing
• Constipation
• Cough
• Cramping
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Hives
• Itching
• Nausea
• Chest Pain
• Muscle Pain
• Passing of Worms
• Rash
• Skin Lesions
• Swelling
• Vision Disturbances
• Vomiting
• Weight Loss

Infected puppies can become quite ill and heavy infestations may lead to convulsions and even death. Most puppies that die are around the age of two to three weeks old. Puppies should be wormed at ages 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks of age. Adult dogs should receive yearly stool samples from their veterinarian to check for worms. Roundworms will look like spaghetti in the puppy's feces.

Symptoms of roundworms in dogs include:

• Potbelly
• Diarrhea
• Gas
• Vomiting
• Lack of Energy
• Slow Growth Rate
• Dull Coat
• Coughing (if immature roundworms have migrated to the puppy's lungs)

Some dogs may show some or all of these symptoms while others may show no symptoms at all. When adult roundworms are seen in the dog's stool this is often because of ongoing disease in the bowel or sometimes because the worm burden had become so great that the worms are crowding each other out.

Treatment of roundworms is not dangerous and is highly effective. Buy your wormers from the vet and give them regularly as instructed. The tablets are not difficult to give if you train your dog to take them in tiny bits of cheese or put them into sweets. The best way to protect your family and dogs from roundworms is through a regular program of both medication and prevention (keeping the yard clean of faeces).

About the author:
Jennifer Bryant breeds American Pit Bull Terriers and builds websites in her spare time.
Bryant's Red Devils
Puppies and Dogs for Sale

Roundworm Disease Prevention

Following are a few simple steps pet owners should take before heading outside with their dogs and cats this spring and summer:

• Visit the veterinarian to learn about the potential dangers posed by heartworms, roundworms and hookworms.
• Ask the veterinarian for products like Heartgard® Plus (ivermectin/pyrantel) that provide dogs with a comprehensive treatment against roundworm and hookworm infections and also protect against heartworm disease.

About HEARTGARD Plus

HEARTGARD® Plus (ivermectin/pyrantel), when used as directed, is 100 percent effective against roundworm disease in dogs and also treats and controls gastrointestinal parasites, which may be transmitted to people. HEARTGARD Plus is the number-one choice among veterinarians and is approved for all breeds, even pregnant or breeding dogs, and puppies 6 weeks of age or older. For protection against heartworms and treatment and control of other internal parasites, HEARTGARD Plus should be administered orally at monthly intervals.

Heartgard Plus Is The #1 Choice Of Veterinarians For Roundworm Disease Prevention! Only Heartgard Plus Comes In A Real-beef Chewable That Dogs Love. 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.