Dog Heartworm Treatment

Heartworm Treatments May Not Protect Pets

HOUSTON -- Some pets may be getting heartworms despite receiving preventative measures. Houston-area vets said it could be because of the medication or an increase in the mosquito population.

A single bite from an infected mosquito can send hundreds of parasites into an animal's bloodstream. Once inside, the parasites travel to the heart and transform into worms. The prevention treatments work by killing the parasites before they reach the heart.

"It is just so simple and a lot cheaper to prevent," said Dr. Brittany King with Banfield Pet Hospitals. "Once infected, there can be as many as 250 worms in one heart."

Veterinarians have been preaching prevention for years. The makers of the most common heartworm preventatives have claims of 100 percent effectiveness printed on the box. So when a pet turned up with heartworms, emergency veterinarian Dr. Laurie Noaker told Local 2 that the blame has historically landed on the owner.

"As vets, when animals come up with a disease, it is fairly common, sometimes, to look at compliance," said Dr. Laurie Noaker, with the Katy Freeway Emergency Animal Hospital.

Noaker said that a challenge to that thought came from a group of veterinarians in the Mississippi River Valley.

"They started to notice a lot of dogs were coming up positive on heartworms that were on the prevention," Noaker said. "The vets were very clear about saying these clients were compliant and when enough vets report something, people take notice."

In the last two years, lawsuits have been filed against the makers of heartworm preventatives challenging those claims of 100 percent effectiveness. Noaker said the attention from that has encouraged not only the companies in the business of making preventatives, but independent researchers, to test the current reliability of the treatments.

"In this situation, we have to be very careful about this and maybe look at the product that we are giving and begin to ask the questions, 'Is there resistance developing? Are there problems with the medication? Do we need to increase the medication or tweak it a bit?' So, I think they are beginning to study the issue," Noaker said.

Scientists have already found some genetic mutations in the mosquitoes found in the Southern states and are doing research to see if those changes have affected the parasitic worms or the ability of the preventative treatments.

One theory blames the culprit.

Heartworm Treatment for Dogs |

Heartworm is a parasitic infestation transmitted to dogs by bites from infected mosquitoes. Heartworm is a potentially fatal health threat and often requires aggressive, prolonged and painful treatment.

Prevention is Easier Than Treatment

Heartworm disease is easier to prevent than it is to treat. The first line of defense in preventing your pet from any disease or infection is through the promotion of a healthy immune support by providing optimal nutrition, exercise and play, minimizing stress, thoughtful vaccination protocols, and veterinary care. According to the Integrated Pest Management Information Network from North Carolina State University, “Healthy animals are best able to withstand and, to some extent, avoid infestation.” Dr. Michelle Tilghman, D.V.M. says, “Strengthen [your pet's] resistance with whole foods. Dogs and cats are more likely to resist heartworms when they are given all-natural foods, which help keep the immune system strong.”

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