Heartworm is delivered by a simple mosquito bite. In geographic areas near water, it’s common to have these diseased mosquitoes all over. The assumption is that all mosquitoes carry the potentially fatal larvae that turn into the troublesome worms once they enter the dog’s bloodstream and grow uncontrollably.

The safest, but by no means simplest, method is to go your family to South Dakota where there are no known cases of heartworm in cats or dogs. If that seems out of the question, the next most effective option is simply to keep mosquitoes away from your dog. Considering we can’t even keep mosquitoes away from us most of the time, this is no simple task. But, we can be very diligent in applying ointments to our pets just as we apply them to ourselves. One trick that seems to work wonders is garlic. Bugs despise garlic, but dogs like it! Add some chopped garlic to each meal – he’ll be pleased and healthy.

Healthy, active dogs have a better chance of warding off the disease even they are bitten. A strong heart and circulation, along with a healthy immune system will prevent the worms from causing any hurt; they won’t be able to grow, and they won’t be able to take up residence in the vital organs like hearts and lungs.

Monthly prescription medication is the real key. It must be applied diligently – on time, in the right amount, in the right place. One tiny mistake could place your dog at risk. The medications are simple to apply really and all you need to do is break open a capsule and squeeze it onto the back of his neck, in an area he can’t reach to lick or scratch. It sinks into the skin and enters the bloodstream immediately.

Many of these preventive medicines prevent not only heartworm but fleas, ticks, their larvae, and other types of worms.

Even though prevention is vital, commonly prescribed, and in many states nearly mandatory for your dog’s health, many dogs suffer serious adverse effects. These medications are strong and if applied to an ill, ancient, or weak dog, you could be causing some serious side effects such as seizures, paralysis or even coma. The problem is that these don’t happen straight away all the time; poisons frequently build up silently in the body and it could months to tell your pet is experiencing some adverse side effects.

Preventive medicines have been around for quite some time and even though they aren’t 100% effective, they indeed do a remarkable job at keeping our pets safe, especially in areas known for high levels of infected mosquito infestations. Monthly treatments involve topical ointments that are usually rubbed onto the back of your dog’s neck where he can’t lick it off, and/or pills that can be taken daily or monthly.

Most medicines are multi-functional, meaning, they work on more than just heartworms. Depending on the medicine it could also be used to prevent roundworms, hookworms, and/or tapeworms, along with being able to kill eggs and larvae and perhaps even ticks.

Don’t reckon that keeping your dog indoors is preventive medicine! Mosquitoes are notorious for going where they aren’t welcome, and our homes aren’t immune from harboring at least one or two of these pesky critters. And that’s all you need to get your dog infected.

Depending on your vet, he may also recommend giving your dogs pills in addition to using the topical ointments. In areas that are near water – where mosquitoes thrive – he may want your dog to be doubly protected. Do as he suggests, but make certain you don’t overmedicate or buy substitute prescriptions that may be cheaper without checking with your vet first.

If your dog has been diagnosed with heartworm, you will now need to give him the heartworm medications that are to cure/treat, rather than prevent. Once your dog has been diagnosed with heartworm, he’s already very sick, and these medications can make him worse. Some dogs have no side effects, others succumb to the side effects. Much like chemotherapy in human cancer patients, these medicines are poisons meant to kill the invading worms and larvae, frequently making the patient sicker before things get better.

It’s hard to get a right reading on how effective these drugs can be because frequently the deaths caused by the drugs are recorded as “death by heartworm” instead of the real culprit. If your vet suggests that you start an aggressive treatment schedule, you need to have a serious discussion with him about possible side effects – especially in your pet – vs. What would happen with no medical intervention.