National Heartworm Awareness Month

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National Heartworm Awareness Month How Much Do
You Know About Heartworms?
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• Heartworms have knocked out more than one
  million dogs with the disease across the world
  and still continue to be a threat in all major
  and minor countries. It is a major health concern
  for the canine and feline owners as this disease
  can prove to be life-threatening and may go
  unnoticed for years. Owing to how quickly this
  menace is sprawling over the country, it is
  important to stay vigilant and take precautionary
  measures well in advance.
• As there is a surge in the number of cases of
  heartworms in pets all over Australia, it is
  important for parents to remain aware of this
  disease. April is recognized as The National
  Heartworm Awareness Month in order to raise
  awareness regarding this fatal disease.

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National Heartworm Awareness Month 2019
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How are Heartworms Transmitted to Dogs?
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• Heartworms are spread by mosquitoes that are
  infected with the larvae of Dirofilaria
  immitisknown as microfilariae.
• These microfilariae are then transmitted to the
  dogs when the infected mosquito bites and sucks
  blood from the animal.
• Once inside the bloodstream, these larval forms
  move to different organs of the body and
  especially, to the heart and lungs.
• They then attach to the walls of these organs and
  at times coagulate in masses to derive nutrition.
  
• This causes blockage of the arteries and valves
  which hampers the blood flow to the organs
  leading to issues like respiratory diseases and
  other health ailments.
• But the risky part is the disease is
  unpredictable and can lead to sudden heart
  attack.

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How is Heartworm Disease Treated in Dogs?
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• Heartworm disease is a debilitating ailment and
  requires intensive care. If the dog has
  contracted the disease already, it would require
  a series of injections to kill all the
  microfilariae in the blood.
• However, heartworm treatments can have serious
  repercussions on the dogs health hence it is
  better to prevent the disease than treating it.

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How to Prevent Heartworm Disease in Dogs?
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• Heartworm preventatives are one of the best ways
  to avoid the disease from happening.
• They are specially formulated to kill the
  immature forms of the worm which disrupts their
  transformation from juvenile to adult heartworms.
  
• It is necessary to use these pills in advance
  because once the worms have transformed into
  adults, the preventatives become ineffective.

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• Moreover, heartworms are transmitted by
  mosquitoes, therefore, make sure you use mosquito
  repellents and avoid places where they are found
  in great numbers to avoid the increased risk of
  transmission of the disease.
• Heartworms are a menace for the entire canine
  family and make life worse if the dog gets
  infected with them, therefore, it is up to us to
  make sure we take proper care of our furry kid.
• A well-balanced diet and maintenance of optimum
  weight are equally necessary to ward off diseases
  and increase immunity. So, make sure he stays in
  the pink of health and in proper hygiene always.
• Read Heartworm Disease In Pets Signs
  Treatment

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A piece of advice Get your dog checked for
heartworms at least every 6 months or annually.
Hope this National Heartworm Awareness Month,
more and more people will become aware of
heartworms and will start using preventatives if
they havent until now. So, be that parent and
spread awareness regarding this fatal disease and
save the lives of other pets around you.