Features
July 2011 Issue
Because they administered heartworm preventive to their dogs year-round, some owners may fail to recognize that their dogs’ symptoms – such as exercise intolerance, a persistent cough or tendancy to pant, and fluid retention in the chest or abdominal cavity – are signs of a heartworm infection; this lack of recognition may delay treatment.
Some Heartworm Preventative Medications Have Become Less Effective - Here's How to Protect Your Dog!
The protocols used to protect dogs from heartworm may have lost some effectiveness; here’s what you can do to protect your dog now.
As we reported in Whole Dog Journal in March 2011, there is now ample evidence that at least one strain of heartworms has developed resistance to some of the market’s best-known preventives. In addition, there is evidence to suggest that one of the most popular heartworm preventives, Heartgard, has an efficacy rate of less than 100 percent. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine has sent at least one warning letter to Merial, the maker of Heartgard, asking the company to stop claiming 100 percent effectiveness for heartworm prevention. Given these developments, what should responsible dog owners do differently to better protect their dogs? The answer depends a bit on where you live and what you’ve already been doing to prevent heartworm infection.
To continue reading this entire article you must be a paid subscriber.
Subscribe to Whole Dog Journal
Get the next year of WHOLE DOG JOURNAL for just $20. And access all of our online content - 1,000 dog training, health and nutrition articles- free of charge.
That's a savings of $9 off the regular rate. Or subscribe for two years for $30 and save even more. It's like getting the second year free.
Already subscribe but haven't registered for all the benefits of the website? Click here.
Subscriber Log In
Forgot your password? Click Here.
