- What
is Heartworm Disease and is my pet at risk?
- Why
do I have to test my dog prior to starting Heartgard®?
- What
is the Oasis Animal Clinic Heartgard® Assurance Bonus?
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Q. What
is Heartworm Disease and is my pet at risk?
A. For years, dogs
have been afflicted with a potentially deadly parasite, Dirofilaria
immitis, commonly known as Heartworm Disease. It is spread
from one dog to another by the bite of an infected mosquito.
When the mosquito has fed on an infected dog, it draws tiny
larval stages of the parasite, called microfilariae, into
its system. Later, when it feeds on the next dog, it injects
the microfilariae under the skin. In the course of a few months,
the second dog begins to carry the infective larva in its
bloodstream and becomes a source of infection to other dogs.
Treatment for Heartworm
Disease is very costly and potentially dangerous. In effect,
we have to gradually kill the adult heartworms that live in
the bloodstream on the right side of the heart. As the Heartworms
die they can cause serious complications to the infected dog
such as circulatory collapse, anaphylactic shock and death.
Left untreated, many dogs succumb to Heartworm Disease.
Fortunately, there
is a simple way to prevent your dog from ever getting infected.
By giving a single, monthly chewable medication called Heartgard®,
the risk of developing Heartworm Disease is extremely low.
We can safely assume that young puppies are negative of Heartworm
Disease. They can start and stay on the monthly dose of Heartgard®
anytime between 4 weeks and 5-6 months. If dogs are over 6
months when an owner first decides to start Heartworm prevention,
the dog must first be tested to determine that the disease
is not already present. Giving Heartworm preventative to a
dog that is already infected with Heartworm Disease is not
effective in preventing the disease from progressing in the
dog. It may also result in a serious or fatal reaction to
the medication!
Luckily, outbreaks
of Heartworm Disease are not a common occurrence in Arizona.
This is primarily due the fact that we do not have much moisture,
and therefore fewer mosquitoes than most areas of the country.
The first cases of Heartworm Disease in dogs native to Arizona
occurred in the mid-1980’s. In recent years the incidence
has increased, due in part to the many pets that have been
brought here from other Heartworm-endemic areas. In addition,
there are more artificial lakes, which are breeding ground
for mosquitoes. The summer of 1999 represented a high mark
for Heartworm-positive dogs at Oasis Animal Clinic. In one
two-week period, three patients were diagnosed positive.
Intestinal
Parasites
There are other benefits to treating pets monthly with Heartgard®.
The formulation we use also has medication to rid pets of
several of the most common intestinal parasites. In fact,
intestinal parasites are far more common than Heartworms among
the dogs tested at Oasis Animal Clinic. There is also risk
of infection of intestinal parasites to humans when in contact
with infected dogs.
Q. Why do I have to test my dog prior to
starting Heartgard®?
A.
When puppies begin taking Heartgard® monthly prior to
6 months of age, we permit them to refill the medication for
the first year without testing. But after one year, the best
and most knowledgeable scientists and researchers strongly
recommend that all pets be retested. Occasionally, our clients
become frustrated that we recommend retesting when we have
been giving assurances that the medication is very effective.
No drug is 100% effective, and many times owners think that
a pet has eaten a Heartgard® treat, when in fact they
may not have done so.
Q.
What is the Oasis Animal Clinic Heartgard® Assurance Bonus?
A.
If a client has had a pet on Heartgard®, continuously
for the preceding 12 consecutive months, and the Heartgard®
was purchased from Oasis Animal Clinic, we will provide the
annual Heartworm test free of charge! This test is usually
over $23.00. In effect, we are rewarding our best clients
by reducing a potential obstacle to providing premium health
care for our patients. Call the clinic for details.
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