Of course we all want our dogs to live long, happy lives. One of the most common threats to our dog’s overall health and wellness is a parasitic worm called heartworm. Heartworms are parasites that can make your dog extremely sick or even be fatal. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, heartworm prevalence is skyrocketing, from 800,000 cases reported 20 years ago to well over a million today. Thankfully, heartworm is preventable. In this article, you will learn what heartworm disease is, risks and contributing factors to watch for, and the keys to natural heartworm prevention.
Understanding Heartworm Infections in Dogs
We know heartworm is a parasite, and we know that its spread is preventable, but what does that really mean for your dog’s health?
First, before we can dig into heartworm prevention for dogs, we need to understand the life cycle of heartworm, including the risks posed by the parasite and the symptoms of the disease you need to know.
The parasitic worm, Dirofilaria immitis, starts its life inside of a mosquito. The larvae develop in the mosquito until they are infective, then the mosquito bites your pup, and now your dog has acquired the developing larvae. It takes about two months for those larvae to develop into an adult–and it is during these two months that prevention is most effective. Continuing on its path of development, in another four or five months, the parasites become full adults. It is during this window when heartworm treatment would have to begin, though if it doesn’t, the parasites continue to develop into mature adults and can survive in your dog—wreaking havoc on the blood stream, lungs, and heart—for another five to seven years producing microfilariae, the heartworms’ offspring.
When an infected mosquito bites your dog, detecting an infection in the early stages is vital to your dog’s successful recovery, so regular testing and prevention are critical. Knowing the signs to watch for—a cough, lethargy, a swollen abdomen, weight loss, loss of appetite, even fainting—and acting immediately gives your dog the best chance of recovery.
Who’s Most at Risk for Infection?
If you spend a lot of time outdoors doing fun activities together like RVing or camping, or if you live in the Southeastern and Gulf Coast regions of the United States where cases are the most prevalent, your dog’s risk is higher. However, as the climate changes, heartworm infections are being seen in areas where they’ve never been before, so everyone needs to be vigilant in heartworm prevention for dogs.
Natural Supplements for Heartworm Support
If you’re interested in natural heartworm prevention, there are various supplements that can be offered to help protect your dog from a heartworm infection. These primarily work to either boost your dog’s immune system or to prevent mosquito bites.
Shawn Messonnier, D.V.M., author of Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats, wrote, “Anecdotal evidence suggests that herbs such as garlic, black walnut and wormwood, and the homeopathic heartworm nosode, may actually prevent as well as treat infection.”
The goal with natural heartworm prevention should start with preventing mosquito bites in the first place! Supplementing with raw garlic is said to help your dog avoid mosquito bites, but always use garlic with caution as it can be potentially toxic in high doses. Common-sense measures help, too, like keeping your dog inside during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active and not allowing standing water in your yard.
If you’re pursuing natural heartworm prevention, remember that these alone aren’t enough to keep your dog safe but should be part of a larger prevention plan.
Topicals for Natural Heartworm Prevention
There is some anecdotal evidence that cedar oils and citrus oils can be effective at repelling mosquitoes. The more you are able to keep mosquitoes away from your dog, the less likely your dog is to contract heartworm via a mosquito bite. However, these oils—especially citrus—should not be applied directly undiluted. It’s recommended to mix the oil with coconut or olive oil and apply a small amount to the back of your dog’s neck to prevent licking. The proper (and safe) ratio of essential oils to carrier oils can vary from dog to dog. Additionally, you should spot test to ensure your dog’s skin can tolerate the combo. It’s always best to check with your veterinarian for guidance tailored to your pet before anything else. While oils might be a piece of the overall puzzle, they should not be relied on solely to prevent heartworm.
Can Diet and Lifestyle Work for Heartworm Prevention?
A healthy immune system contributes to your dog’s overall wellness. While a balanced diet and physical fitness help your dog live a longer, healthier life, the unfortunate reality is that neither of those things prevent a heartworm infection from occurring if your dog is bitten by an infected mosquito. However, a healthier dog will likely have an easier time recovering with treatment than a dog who isn’t fit or well to begin with. For many holistic veterinarians, the recommendation is to keep your dog’s immune system in tip-top shape, while remembering that this is only one piece of the puzzle. Strive to keep your dog at a healthy weight with a combination of healthy, wholesome food and regular exercise.
Getting outside is important for your dog’s overall health and happiness, and managing heartworm risk is, too. So, minimize mosquito exposure as best you can, and utilize natural bug repellents when you are enjoying the outdoors together.
Working with Your Veterinarian
You and your veterinarian are your dog’s winning team. Work with your traditional and/or holistic veterinarian to best support your dog’s health. Open communication is important. Talk with your vet about your desire to incorporate holistic strategies to keep your dog free from parasites, including a plan for both prevention and treatment strategies. Your vet can help you determine how often you should be testing your dog for heartworm based on your dog’s overall health and risk factors. Advocate for your veterinarian to test more frequently. The sooner an infection is detected through regular blood tests, the faster it can be treated and, hopefully, prevent a heartworm infection from turning into heartworm disease.
Again, the signs to watch for include: a cough, lethargy, a swollen abdomen, weight loss, loss of appetite, or even fainting. If you see any of these symptoms, consult your vet immediately.
Depending on where you live, your dog’s overall fitness, and your risk factors, you might consider working with your veterinarian to integrate conventional medicine with holistic therapy, especially if your dog has experienced a heartworm infection. Most importantly, work as a team with your vet to devise an approach personalized to your dog.
The Best Treatment for Heartworm is to Prevent it in the First Place!
Natural heartworm prevention begins with mosquito bite prevention because the only mechanism through which heartworm is transmitted is a mosquito bite. Incorporate strategies to prevent your dog from acquiring a heartworm infection, and test your dog regularly so that if an infection does occur, you can catch it and treat it before it turns into heartworm disease.
With your solid understanding of how heartworm disease is transmitted, proactive steps to keep your pet safe, and a partnership with your veterinarian to devise a personalized approach, you’re well on your way to a natural approach to heartworm prevention.
