From Our Holistic Vet: Why Dogs Need Year-Round Heartworm Prevention

There is nothing more disheartening than when a canine companion comes down with a preventable disease such as heartworm infection.

Given the nature of mosquito transmission and with warmer ambient temperatures, transmission season is increasingly lengthening to include all areas of the United States, so that using monthly heartworm preventatives year-round is becoming increasingly important.

If a dog tests positive, in most instances a strong arsenic derivative compound is utilized, along with several weeks of antibiotic therapy to kill the heartworm load and other associated parasites.

While modern heartworm kill protocols are certainly safer and more effective than older medications, there can be residual damage, especially in the blood vasculature of the heart and lungs. These inflammatory changes may lead to earlier onset of various inflammatory lung pathologies that can affect both the quality and length of the dog’s life.

For these reasons, I strongly recommend a species-appropriate, fresh meat-based diet, which supports an optimally functioning immune system as well as the rest of the body.

I also strongly recommend antioxidant therapy such as grape seed extract supplements, which can help prevent further inflammation and scarring of the lungs, along with an omega-3 fatty acid supplement, which helps prevent inflammation in the heart, liver, kidneys and joints.

Most importantly, it is imperative that clients continue to keep their canine companions on a year-round heartworm preventative, which prevents not only further heartworm infection, but also other intestinal parasites. Many of the newer heartworm preventative options include additional ingredients that also help reduce transmission of other flea and tick-borne diseases.
-Dr. Michael Dym, VMD

VISION

Every pet deserves to live a long, happy, healthy life.