Heartworm and Flea prevention – Nall Hills Animal Hospital can help you and your furry family members prevent heartworm and flea problems.
Prevention of heartworm and fleas is always the best option because once your pet gets heartworm or fleas it can lead to a whole other host of problems.
Sadly, heartworm and fleas can make your cat or dog very sick and can also be fatal. If you see any of the following symptoms is sure to get your pet to Nall Hills Animal Hospital immediately.
Fleas
- Itching / Digging
- Biting at the fleas
- Hair loss
- Red marks
- Scabs
- Pale gums
- Behavioral changes
The good news is all the above can be avoided with prevention.
Heartworm
- Fatigue after playing or running
- A cough that won’t go away
- Trouble breathing
You will notice a change in your cat or dogs’ behavior that will alert you to a problem.
Medication to Prevent Heartworm & Fleas
Heartworm can be prevented with medications. Talk to a veterinarian at Nall Hills Animal Hospital about your medication options for preventing heartworm in cats and dogs. Some of the most common preventive medications include the following:
- Interceptor Plus (dogs) is a prescription that can be administered at six weeks of age and they must weigh at least two pounds
There are several more preventive types of medicine for heartworm and fleas, most (not all) of the medications also prevent against several parasites including the following:
- Roundworm
- Ear Mites
- Flea eggs
- Hookworms
- Whipworms
- Roundworms
- American dog ticks
You need to speak with a veterinarian when trying to decide which heartworm and flea medication is best for your cat or dog. As you can see by the list above you want to be able to prevent as many parasites as possible too, and not all the medications are appropriate for all the parasites. Therefore, a veterinarian will be able to advise you on which preventive medication is best based on your pets’ risk of being exposed to certain parasites.
Contact Our Overland Park, Veterinarian for More Information Today!
If you have a new kitten or puppy you want to stay on top of any preventive medicine, your first step is taking them to the vet. Just as you do your other cats and dogs – the veterinarians at Nall Hills Animal Hospital in Overland Park, KS look forward to meeting your furry family members and devolving a lifelong relationship with them. To make an appointment call our office at 913-341-8836.
FAQs
How does heartworm spread?
Heartworm enters the animal’s body through mosquito bites. The mosquito bites and infected animal and then carries the heartworm to another host.
Is heartworm preventable?
Our Overland Park veterinarian states that the only way to be certain that your pet is protected from heartworm is to keep them on a regular routine using preventive chewable tablets or a topical liquid. There are a variety of products, most of which are approximately 99 percent effective in keeping heartworm from thriving in your pet’s system. Some medications are taken monthly. Others protect your pet for 6 to 12 months.
Do heartworm only affect dogs?
No. While dogs are the hosts that heartworm prefer, they can thrive in other domestic animals, including cats and ferrets.
I keep my pets inside. Do I have to worry about heartworm?
Yes. Mosquitos can infect a pet inside your home also.
What are the signs of heartworm?
Dogs can live for several years with heartworm before they show any obvious symptoms. That’s why testing is essential to catch heartworm in its early stages. Hallmarks of early stage heartworm infection include cough, especially during exercise, and an intolerance to exercise in general. Signs of a later-stage infection include severe weight loss, fainting, coughing up blood and eventually congestive heart failure.
What is the treatment for heartworm?
Treatment for heartworm is very aggressive and involves an arsenic-based medication administered over several weeks. After treatment, your pet must remain mostly sedentary while his or her body absorbs the dead worms. Treatment is usually, but not always, successful.
