Then the mosquito bites another dog that is not on heartworm medicine. The larva then migrates through the dog&rsquos tissue into the blood vessels and ends up in the right side of the heart. Heartworms can get very long often over 12 inches in length and will over time cause many serious medical conditions. The end result of heartworms in dogs is right sided heart failure and ultimately death. Unfortunately as veterinarians we see these dogs die of heartworm disease and know that this is a disease that can be prevented with a simple once a month heartworm preventative.  This is the reason it is so important to have your pet on monthly heartworm medicine and to take your pet to your veterinarian at least annually, if not every 6 months for a good physical examinations and heartworm tests.

Heartworms in Dogs

Heartworm disease in dogs is preventable and there are many good heartworm preventatives available today. All Heartworm preventatives are by prescription and a current negative heartworm test is required by your Veterinarian to prescribe this medicine.  Most heartworm preventatives are oral products that are given once a month by mouth and are chewable tablets. Most dogs receive these products as treats.  Heartgard Plus, Interceptor, Iverhart Plus and Iverhart Max, Sentinel and Triheart are the most common oral heartworm preventatives. There are also several heartworm preventatives that are topical. Advantage Multi and Revolution are the topical heartworm preventatives available at VetApprovedRx. All of these products provide heartworm prevention when used once a month. The oral heartworm preventatives provide protection from heartworms but also from certain intestinal parasites. The topical heartworm preventatives will treat and control certain external and internal parasites as well as heartworms. Using these heartworm preventatives is a vital part of keeping your pet healthy and preventing heartworms in dogs by using a good quality heartworm medicine is essential to help prevent heartworms in your pet.