Best Heartgard Plus Chewables Reviews For Dogs & Cats
Worms including heartworms, hookworms, and roundworms are classified as parasites that can live inside your pet dog and cat. They often lead to various health issues such as anemia, poor appetite, and lethargy. These are the most common worms that infect a cat or dog, and in some cases, they might even cause death. As a pet owner, you must talk to your vet about the parasites that you need to be careful of. Plus, you should take preventative measures to keep your pet safe. Plus, with medicines (such as Heargard Plus chewables), these infections caused by worms can be prevented and treated with worm infections. So, it's a good thing to be aware of available treatment options.
About the different intestinal worms
The chances of your puppy or kitten (right from birth) having intestinal worms are quite high. Most commonly, the worms are passed from the mother to the baby, and since the immune system is still undeveloped, the gastrointestinal systems of the animals can't keep the parasites in control. Young cats and dogs can be a victim of primarily three kinds of worms; roundworms, hookworms, and heartworms.
Roundworms
Kittens and puppies that have been affected by roundworms might exhibit slow growth, and they can have a pot belly too. They can either be born with the infection, or they can be infected because of the milk they drink from their mother.
Take note that the mother doesn't need to have an active infestation to pass on the worms. In fact, the larvae of the roundworm might have been sitting around in her system for quite a while and could have migrated and developed because of pregnancy hormones. Roundworms are also often found on rodents so; it is advised that you get your pet rodent checked regularly for roundworms.
If the infestation lasts for a long time and is severe, then you might sometimes see whitish worms in the stools. Similarly, a fecal examination done by a vet can easily detect the presence of eggs, if any. These eggs once they are in the stomach hatch into the larvae which then travel to the small intestine and mature into full-grown adults.
The adults then lay eggs that pass out in feces. Roundworms can also be transmitted from the mother to the kittens or puppies in utero. Human beings, also, on ingesting the roundworms can become a victim of infection, which is why you need to take precautionary measures when dealing with dog feces.
Symptoms of roundworms in pets include:
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhea
- Mucus or blood in the stool
- Bloated belly
In some cases, a severe infection can lead to intestinal obstruction and even death in kittens and puppies. Roundworms can be treated with oral medicines such as Heartgard Plus chewables.
Hookworms
Dogs are more commonly victims of hookworms than cats. Just like roundworms, kittens and puppies can also be infested with hookworms either from the mother's milk or in-utero. A hookworm infection can also be transmitted by ingesting the infective larvae found commonly in the soil. Hookworm larvae can also affect a dog or cat by attaching to the pet's skin and burrowing through it.
Once the larvae are inside the body, it travels to the small intestine and matures to an adult. It then lays eggs which pass into the dog's feces. The hookworms also attach themselves to the intestine's wall and suck blood. In case of a severe infestation, the animal can develop anemia. In fact, puppies can become a victim of life-threatening anemia before eggs can be detected in the excretions. Hookworms not only targets young animals, but older dogs that have a weak immune system are also susceptible to infection by these worms.
Hookworms can also penetrate the skin tissue which is why humans can also be infected when they walk barefoot on soil that has such worms in it. So, be careful not to let your kids play where pets excrete.
Symptoms of hookworm infection in cats and dogs:
- Bloody diarrhea
- Progressive weakness
- Lack of stamina
- Poor weight maintenance
- Diminished vitality
- Severe cases of anemia
Just like roundworms, a hookworm infection can also be diagnosed by examining the animal's feces. However, don't worry about it too much since there are several treatment options available for hookworms.
Heartworms
Your cat or dog might get heartworms after being bitten by a mosquito that has already bitten another infected dog. The immature larvae, known as the microfilaria develops while inside the mosquito. The larvae are then passed onto the dog, most commonly, or the cat. It is deposited along with the mosquito bite.
The larvae reside near the skin for some time and then move towards vital organs like the lungs and heart. Once they enter the dog or cat's system, they mature in around 7 months and harm the essential organs, thus leaving the dog or cat weakened. In some cases, it can cause death too.
Symptoms of heartworms most commonly include anemia and lack of strength and stamina. Heartworms can also be treated with oral medicines.
Medicines for dealing with worms
If your dog or cat has become a victim of these worms or you want to make sure that your pet doesn't get affected, you have a few options.
Heartgard Plus Chewables
Heartgard Plus is known as one of the best medicine recommended by vets for preventing heartworms. This medicine can also treat, as well as control hookworms and roundworms. It contains Pyrantel and Ivermectin, both of which are recommended for treating many different kinds of worms.
- Heartgard for Cats
Heartworm is not so common in cats. The larvae of the heartworm develop in the heart, it moves to other body parts. However, you can pick up Heartgard for cats as an effective medication against roundworms and hookworms.
- Heartgard for Dogs
Heartgard for dogs is available in real-beef chewable tablets so that your dog doesn't create much of a hassle when it is time to take the tablet. If you have a fussy pet dog, opting for Heartgard Plus chewables for dogs is recommended.
Sentinel and Sentinel Spectrum for dogs
Both Sentinel and Sentinel Spectrum are advised for dogs with heartworms, roundworms, and hookworms along with whipworms. Both of them are also known for preventing the flea eggs from developing. The only difference between the two is that sentinel spectrum can also deal with tapeworms since it contains Praziquantel.
Profender for Cats
Containing Praziquantel and Emodepside, Profender for cats is a topical medicine for treating kittens and cats with worms. Profender is suitable for treating and controlling intestinal parasites like roundworms, tapeworms, and hookworms. The medicine is effective, easy to use, and works in one dose!
Wrapping it up
Treating your pet dog or cat for heartworms is something you shouldn't do as quickly as possible to ward off any major complications. While there are a number of medicines available, available online Heartgard Plus chewables reviews assure you about it being a reliable product. Cheap Heartgard for dogs is currently available to offer the medical attention your pet deserves.
