Pet Health Advice
Pet Health Advice
Heartworms And Your Pit Bull Terrier: Dog Health Advice
One of the most devastating parasites which may threaten your Pit Bull is the heartworm. These nasty creatures can linger in your pet for years before dealing a death blow to your Pit Bull. Heartworms are treatable, but it is best to use a protective stance rather than wait for infection to occur.
This disease is not spread from pet to pet via contact, but by another nasty creature we all know as the mosquito. The mosquito is a necessary link in the transfer of the disease. The number of dogs infected with heartworms always increases during the height of mosquito season. Long mosquito seasons will increase the rate of infections rapidly.
Once heartworms are transmitted by the mosquito into the dog's blood stream, they travel through the blood into the heart and the major pulmonary blood vessels. The heartworms are in the immature stage and are called microfilaria.
Upon arriving in the heart, the microfilaria will set up residence and grow into adult heartworms. These fully grown parasites cause heart blockage and damage to surrounding tissues by clogging the heart and the major blood vessels leading from the heart. Adult heartworms will also interfere with the valve action within the heart.
When the heart and main blood vessels get clogged, the blood flow to other critical organs is reduced, which can cause problems for the liver, kidneys and lungs, resulting in organ failure.
Most dogs which are infected with heartworms will not show any outward signs of disease for as long as up to two years. Sadly, by the time the disease starts to show signs in the dog, it is in the advanced stage. These signs depend on several factors, such as the number of adult worms and microfilariae present, as well as their location. The length of time the infection has been present, and the amount of damage already done to the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys are all essential factors.
Signs of Heartworm Infestation
The most obvious outward signs of heartworms are:
Unexplained weight loss.
A dry almost constant cough with labored breathing.
Shortness of breath.
Sudden weakness.
A sudden show of nervousness or listlessness, accompanied by a loss of stamina.
The signs of heartworms are most noticeable after the dog has been engaged in exercise or play. Some dogs with heartworms may even faint or drop dead suddenly right after engaging in rigorous play or exercise.
Treatment for heartworms is available but it is costly and in some cases may prove fatal to the dog itself. To prevent this horrible disease in your Pit Bull, be sure to keep your dog's regular vet appointments. Heartworms can be prevented easily by administering heartworm medication to your pet each month.
As always, talk to your vet if you have any concerns that your dog may have heartworms, and never try to treat the disease on your own. Always consult a properly qualified professional before starting any type of treatments on your dog.
About the Author
To learn all about owning, raising, and caring for American Pit Bull Terriers, visit http://www.PitBullsRevealed.com/ today!
Dr. Ron DeHaven, AVMA CEO, gives advice on pet obesity
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Pet Health Advice
Pet health check tips
Your pets are important members of your family, so it's important to take proper care of them to make sure they stay fit, healthy and happy throughout their lives. Caring for animals doesn't have to be daunting or expensive when you keep up with regular health checks to make sure your pet is fit and well throughout the year.
While home check-ups are not recommended as an alternative to seeking professional advice from vets if something does arise, they can be highly effective in staving off illness and identifying any potential problems before they have a chance to develop. There are some health checks you can make part of your weekly routine, such as checking under the animal's fur for any lumps or scabs, inside their ears, and monitoring their eating and drinking habits.
Fighting fleas and other infections can be a little more trying, and should only be carried out at home if you're confident in your ability to administer flea products correctly. You should never use products intended for dogs on cats, or the other way around, as this can prove extremely hazardous to your animal's health, and many cats in particular die each year after improper application of insecticides.
You won't be able to take care of everything at home, of course, and keeping up to date with visits to the vet to get your pet immunised against common diseases could help avoid more serious problems further down the line. Comparing pet insurance quotes is always an option for owners looking to find the best cover or the cheapest deals to protect their animals, and avoid having to pay the full cost for vet fees.
Getting your animal spayed or neutered is another important decision that you'll have to make when they're young, especially if you have a cat that you allow to roam free in the streets. Spaying isn't only useful for avoiding unwanted litters of pups and kittens, but can also reduce your animal's risk of developing illnesses such as breast cancer, not to mention preventing many aggressive tendencies in males.
For all the wonders that modern medicine can achieve for your pet, the most important things you can do for your animals are to make sure they eat a healthy diet and get plenty of exercise. Taking your dogs for walks helps to channel their aggressive behaviour, and even cats should be encouraged to move around with planned exercise regimes if you feel they've slipped into bad habits.
About the Author
Paul Buchanan writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.
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