Heartworms, fleas, and other parasites in dogs need to be eliminated by following appropriate medications in them. Many products have come up in the commercial fields to protect dogs from heartworms, fleas, and other parasites like hookworms, whipworms, roundworms, lice, ticks, etc.
Among the heartworms, fleas, and other parasites, the fleas produce hypersensitive reactions in the affected animals. Hence, the animals infected with fleas start severely scratching their bodies. Many times, the scratching is so severe that the skin becomes more hyperemic, and dermatitis occurs in the affected areas.
An animal will not lie down or sleep comfortably due to the constant bites by the fleas. Hence, the animal looks as if it is affected by some severe skin disease. If the animal is not properly attended for this tick bite problem, there will often be secondary bacterial invasions in these sites, and there may even be a bad smell emanating from the skin areas.
Close observation of the dog is highly essential to rule out the occurrence of fleas disturbing the animal to a greater extent. Similarly, the skin of the animal needs to be tested for the presence of ticks, lice, etc. For this, the hair materials need to be separated, and close observation with patience is required for the proper diagnosis.
In many incidences, if anemia is present, the blood protozoa need to be ruled out, in addition to the hookworm problems. Clinical problems like anemia, loose motion, potbelly, etc., might be recognized by the dog owners themselves however, the dog needs to undergo a routine health-related examination involving fecal examination, hematological examination, and blood smear examination.
Many commercial products have come up in the market that are useful to deal with all these conditions with a single dose. Drugs like ivermectin are highly useful and are available in both injection and oral forms in addition to the solution form that can be applied on the skin. These drugs in dogs can also lead to the prophylaxis of these conditions.
Heartworm prevention
Beef-flavored chunks are available in addition to the beef-flavored tablets or solutions that can be given orally to the dogs as a measure against the incidence of heartworms. Avoid mosquito bites by providing proper mosquito-proof shelter facilities to the dogs.
Just plan whether there is any need to go for heartworm prevention throughout the year or only in some months of the year. For example, in the case of some countries, the mosquitoes may be dormant in most of the colder months.
However, in some countries, this is not a position. Many times, medications are available for oral administration to prevent heartworms along with hookworms, etc. Such oral medications need to be taken as per the instructions. However, be cautious about the occurrence of any adverse drug reactions in the dog given with such prophylactic therapy.
Adverse event reports need to be sent if you come across any sort of adverse drug reaction in your dog during the preventive treatment.
Pet animals highly prefer soft beef-flavored tablets as a preventive measure against heartworms. The pet owner needs to consult a veterinarian if the dose for the prophylaxis of heartworm is missed for a few months. On such occasions, the pet animal needs to undergo the heartworm test.
Heartgard, sentinel, interceptor, revolution, etc., are available in the commercial fields as drugs for preventive measures. Avoid water stagnation around the dog shelter and the bushes around the area that facilitate mosquito breeding. This test needs to be carried out in consultation with a veterinarian who specializes in pet animal health care and medicine.
As a preventive measure for heartworms, the dogs need to be tested for the evidence of these worms at the age of six months. Real beef chewable tablets containing medical agents like ivermectin are available.
Common questions about heartworm
The common questions about heartworms are often related to the species affected by heartworms in addition to the dogs. One should know that in addition to dogs, cats, foxes, wolves, horses, sea lions, etc., are also affected. Can this be cured or not? Yes. This can be treated.
What is the drug used often for the prevention of heartworm in dogs? Ivermectin is the drug used often to have preventive actions for these heartworms. Dogs affected reveal constant coughing, panting, and dullness on many occasions.
What will be the size of the worms? In the case of females, it is about twenty-seven centimeters in length, and in the case of males, it is about seventeen centimeters in length. Is there any vector involved in the transmission of the disease? Yes. Mosquitoes often get associated as
vectors in which the early development of larvae of heartworms occurs in them.
Is the prophylaxis meant only for heartworms or others also? Prophylaxis is meant not only for heartworms but also hookworms, whipworms, and roundworms. What is the infective type of larvae that is associated with the transmission of these heartworms? The mosquito bites transmit the third stage larva.
This occurs throughout the world. In some areas, the incidences are less in colder months in which the mosquito breeding will not be there and might be dormant during these periods. What is the name of the drug used for therapy and prevention? Ivermectin and milbemycin oxime may be used for both purposes. Ivermectin is available in injection and oral forms.
Additionally, the forms for external applications are also available. The cost factor needs to be worked out for all these treatments. What is the frequency of drugs used for prophylaxis? One month before the mosquito season and up to two months after the mosquito season, ivermectin or milbemycin oxime may be given once monthly for the prophylaxis. Diethylcarbamazine may be used for therapy purposes.
Fleas and other parasites
Fleas and other parasites always need to be prioritized by the dog owners. The common incidences of flea bite allergy in dogs cause worries among dog owners. Flea bite induces allergic reactions in the concerned area bitten by the fleas. Hence, the affected area looks hairless, and the animal starts scratching.
Fleas cause severe dermatitis in dogs with severe flea infestations. Many times, the flea bite causes allergic reactions in the dogs. On many occasions, dogs experience severe discomfort due to these allergic reactions. Medicated collars are available to treat and prevent the infestation with external parasites like ticks or fleas.
Other parasites like ticks and lice, in addition to internal parasites like hookworms, roundworms, whipworms, etc., affect the animal’s health status. For example, if hookworm affects the animal, most of the time, the dog has anemia. The anemic signs become more prominent depending on the degree of affection by the hookworm.
Hookworm larvae can pass directly through the skin and cause problems in the affected ones. Such dogs may reveal lesions pertaining to dermatitis in the feet region and in the skin areas. Skin rashes may be seen frequently in such cases, and the affected animal passes loose stool, which is red-tinged and mixed with blood material.
If the roundworms are seen in more numbers, the affected puppies reveal a potbelly condition, which the dog owners themselves easily recognize. Piperazine salts are given orally for the treatment of this problem. However, broad-spectrum anthelmintics like pyrantel pamoate, fenbendazole, etc., are given to treat these conditions.
Many drugs have come on the market to treat fleas and other parasites. Nowadays, the medical agent called ivermectin is highly preferred by many dog owners to treat fleas and other parasites in dogs. This drug is available in injection form and oral form. The drug is also available for external application.
