Canine Heartworm Disease

Dogs are considered the definitive hosts for heartworm infections. In experimental infections of D. immitis, the percentage of infective larvae developing to adult D. immitis is higher in dogs (40% to 90%) than cats (0% to 25%). However, the percentage of experimentally-infected dogs from which adult worms are recovered is virtually 100% of infected dogs, which is different from cats where adult worms are recovered in approximately 61% to 90% of experimentally-infected cats. The worm burden in dogs is usually higher than in cats, as the number of worms in dogs can range from 1 to 250 worms whereas cats typically harbor from 1 to 3 worms. The life span of the worms in dogs appears to be about 5 to7 years, compared to 2 to 3 years in cats.

Canine heartworm infection is widely distributed in the United States. Heartworm infection has been found in dogs native to all 50 states, and is considered at least regionally endemic in each of the contiguous states and Hawaii. All dogs regardless of their age, sex, or habitat are susceptible to heartworm infection. The highest infection rates (up to 45%) in dogs not maintained on heartworm preventive are observed within 150 miles of the Atlantic coast from Texas to New Jersey and along the Mississippi River and its major tributaries. Other areas of the United States have lower incidence rates (5% or less) of canine heartworm disease, while some regions have environmental, mosquito, and dog population factors that allow a higher incidence of heartworm infection. Endemic regions have heartworm infections diagnosed in dogs as young as 1 year, with most areas diagnosing infections primarily between the ages of 3 and 8 years of age. The infection rate in male dogs is as much as 4 times that of female dogs and dogs housed outdoors are 4 to 5 times more likely to be infected than indoor dogs. Although there are differences in frequency of infection for various groups of dogs, all dogs in endemic regions should be considered at risk and placed on surveillance/prevention programs.Please use your pointer to HIGHLIGHT this BOX to see the Clinical Signs of Heartworm disease.

Preventives

While treatment of canine heartworm disease is usually successful, prevention of the disease is much safer and more economical. There are currently 4 products approved for use in the US for the prevention of canine heartworm infection. Prevention of heartworm disease in dogs can be accomplished through the routine administration of either diethylcarbamazine or one of the macrolide anthelmintics. These drugs are highly effective when administered at the appropriate doses and intervals. Due to the temperature dependent nature of the heartworm life cycle, use of heartworm preventives is seasonal in the majority of the U.S. The heartworm preventive season which veterinarians will employ depends upon their knowledge of the heartworm life cycle in their region. Before starting a preventive program, all dogs that could possibly be infected with mature heartworms should be tested for the presence of circulating antigen.

We are listing the some different medications for Heartworm prevention here so you will be able to make an informed decision as to which one you would like to use or talk to your vet about. These are taken from each one's indivual fliers and are not the opinon of The National Sanjankah Dog Association.

SENTINEL: Sentinel is 100% effective in preventing heartworm disease. So use it all year around.

Sentinel acts as "birth control" for fleas and prevents flea eggs from hatching. Use it year round to stop flea infestions before they start.

One Sentinel Tablet a month protects your dog aginst all three of these nasty intestinal parasites.

roundworms

hookworms

whipworms

Give your dog sentinel once a month. Always give Sentinel with or immediately following a meal. Sentinel tabs have a beefy flavor your dogs will love. For puppies and dogs 4 weeks and older, weighing 2-10 lbs, Sentinel non flavored tabs are advailable

Sentinel is proven safe for dogs and puppies. Leaves no insecticide residue. Has no special handling or disposal instructions. Studies show Sentinel to be highly effective against 5 major parasites.

For optimal protection use Sentinel all year round.

You can visit their website at www.sentinelpet.com

HEARTGARD-30: A broad-spectrum, monthly beef chewable that treats and controls hookworms and roundworms while preventing heartworm disease. Puppies can be put on Heartgard as early as 6 weeks of age. When use as directed heartgard has demonstrated a wide margin of saftey. All dogs should be observed for untoward effects following administration of the product. follow the recommendation of your veterinarian for the use of heartgard.

Sorry there was no website listed on their flier.

It is recommened that you check out all of these with your vet before making your decision as to what kind of heartworm med you would like to use for your pet..

The National Sanjankah Dog Association