Heartworms scare me. I had a childhood dog who had them. There's a lot you need to know, that my parents and I didn't know back then such as:
1. You don't need to give your dogs heartworm medications to prevent heartworms. WHAT? Seriously, I just heard the shock across the computer! Yes, read more about this Why I Don't Give My Dog Heartworm Meds.
2. If the medications are toxic for heartworms, they’re toxic for your dog. And for my dogs, even a little bit of poison isn’t something I want subject them to. It weakens their immune system (important in preventing heartworms) and makes them more susceptible to all the other diseases out there.
3. Host immune responses affect the presence of circulating microfilariae.In a nutshell, this means that dogs with functional immune systems aren’t good hosts for heartworms and other parasites.
4. Here’s some news for you … heartworm meds don’t prevent heartworms at all … they kill heartworm larvae that are already in your dog.
5. Instead of medicating for heartworms every month, you can test once every four months or, once to three times a year. So if you have a large sized dog and you live in the Houston area, you’re probably in for $150 a year if you spend $10 a month on meds and $30 for your spring test. If you test twice a year you save $90 on not buying toxic heartworm medications.
6. Heartworms are becoming resistant to the medications, and even dogs on meds are getting them.
7. But not using any preventative wouldn't be wise! Here's what I use and have had amazing results with: First, HW Protect, The formula was designed with two objectives, using herbs that work together to reduce the likelihood of mosquito bites to lower your pet's risk of becoming infected, and to help eliminate existing larvae-stage parasites in the bloodstream. This tincture was developed to help prevent heartworm infestation using extracts of herbs well known for their mosquito repelling properties, and others well known for their anti-parasitic properties. It just takes several drops a day in your dog's food and BAM! No heartworms!
8. Avoid nasty water and always provide your dog with clean drinking water.
9. Third, bug spray. You may immediately think of Off! but it has potentially harmful chemicals to us and even more so to our thin-skinned animals friends. So what do we use? There are some great recipes out there already but this one is tried and true for me!
Recipe:
16 oz bottle of Wondercide (around $24.99 plus shipping)
40 drops Young Living Citronella ($3.20 wholesale)
20 drops Young Living Lavender ($2.20 wholesale)
20 drops Young Living Lemongrass ($1.00 wholesale)
20 drops Young Living Eucalyptus Globulus ($1.40 wholesale)
Total cost including shipping is under $40. I spray this on them once a week during cooler months, 2-7 times a week in warmer months. This bottle lasts my four dogs about two months, so around $5/month/dog (that right there is cheaper than heartworm meds, not that cost is that important but saving a penny brings a smile to my face!!!). Compare that to the price in money and health issues to the topical and oral poisons that are prescribed for dogs. These oils even have health benefits! I've seen fleas die when sprayed and I've seen mosqitoes fly above my dog and then fly away after deciding this dog couldn't be a tasty snack after all. I love this recipe!
