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Special Information on the Pet Food Recall
Heartworms are spread by mosquitoes. The microfilaria are the microscopic, snake-like prelarval stages of the Filaroidea worm in the blood of man and animals and in the tissues of the vector (dog/cat). Microfilaria are the offspring of adult heartworm reproduction. Heartworms have several stages of larvae. L1 are the microfilaria in the blood of the infected animal and these are sucked up by the mosquito while it is feeding. It molts from an L1 to L2 and again from an L2 to L3 in the mosquito before it can infect an animal. L3 larvae are expelled from the mosquito’s mouthparts while the mosquito is feeding and burrow through the skin of the host. Inside the host it molts twice, from an L3 to an L4 and then from an L4 to an L5. The L5 larva will become the adult once it matures.
Once an infected mosquito bites a dog or cat, minute young worms that have been developing inside the mosquito, enter the pet’s body. Now inside the dog or cat, the juvenile worms travel through the muscles and tissues for a few months. Eventually, they enter the blood stream and migrate to the heart and lungs. Here they grow into adult worms that are 12 to 30 centimetres long. These worms eventually produce offspring called ‘microfilaria’ which are sucked up by a mosquito when it bites the infected dog. And so the cycle starts again. Here is a good explanation from YouTube..If you can't get the video to work on my page..Click Here Beware, though...this was produced by Pfizer - the drug company who makes Revolution. I DO NOT recommend that treatment..and you'll see why later on this page. The worms inside the heart and lungs cause very serious damage to the dog and cat. Being so large, they are a major barrier to the free passage of blood from the heart to the lungs. The infection slowly progresses. In the lungs the worms cause scarring and pneumonia and the heart dilates to try to compensate for the lack of oxygen to tissues and eventually becomes weak. In a dog, the disease initially causes a cough. This worsens, and the dog becomes inactive and lethargic. It will not be able to tolerate exercise without coughing and it becomes breathless. In advanced cases, fluid leaks from the blood vessels and accumulates in the lungs and lower part of the abdomen. This fluid gives the dog’s abdomen a ‘pear-shaped’ appearance, resembling the shape of a balloon filled with water. Sometimes, the animal will suddenly collapse. This occurs with no warning. It is associated with deep, laboured breathing, extreme weakness and a blue appearance to the tongue, and very pale gums. In cats, heartworm disease is more and more being recognized as a problem. Because in cats, it resembles so many other cat diseases…it’s often missed. Serious disease can be caused with just one worm, whereas in dogs, one or two worms are usually well tolerated. Tragically, the most common sign of the disease in cats is sudden death, but breathlessness and a cough should also have you investigating The common rate of infection and actual disease is about 5-20% of all dogs and cats. Heartworm Treatment and Heartworm Medicine:This is where the problems lie. The traditional heartworm medicines are toxic chemicals which may or may not harm your pet. The problem is…how do we know which will suffer? In the video above by Pfizer, manufacturers of Revolution it says that only 1% of animals showed any negative results. The drug paralyzes the nerve transmission of the heartworm larvae..why wouldn’t it affect your pet as well? The chemicals used in these drugs are pesticides. Although they are used preventatively in small amounts, because they are administered regularly month after month, the damage to the animal’s system is cumulative. Some side effects listed for heartworm preventative drugs are weakness, vomiting, convulsions and diarrhea. More importantly, regular use can weaken your pet’s immune system and place strain on kidneys and liver. This can result in greater susceptibility to infection and other diseases. And so the circle becomes larger and larger about how your pet is affected in different ways just from one medication, chronically taken.
Natural - Homeopathic Heartworm Treatment and MedicineThere's no denying it...the best defence is a good offense. A healthy animal can even have some of the worms in their systems and survive just fine. The trick is a 'healthy animal'. Personally I believe it's best to start now..giving remedies and anti-parasitic herbals/homeopathics to saturate the animal's tissues well before the spring season. In some areas, mosquitoes take very little 'time off' and this prevention programme should be year round. Diet:I know making your own pet food is time consuming, but unfortunately, the ONLY way to ensure your beloved pet's healthy food intake. I've found a great solution for you. Ward Johnson at Sojo's has come up with a very easy plan. Just by adding meat and water to his extremely healthy and well-designed mixes, your pet benefits from the best of diets with very little work to you. He also has tons of treats, supplements and don't forget to check out his article section for a veritable mountain of helpful and enlightening information. Just click on the banner below:
Natural Heartworm Treatment:The first thing I suggest is the daily use of ParaGard. This combination has protected my people patients and pets for over 25 years. It includes the enzymes to enhance digestion..ensuring parasitcal demise.
There are two other items I use for heartworm with great success. Immunity and Liver Support and Detox Plus. (Click on the pictures below) These can be given at any time of the year..I use the Immunity and Liver Support once per week and the Detox Plus every few months. But when you're getting ready for a parasitic season like the spring and summer (especially the evenings/nights) I'd use these both at least once per week...along with the Paragard daily.
Obviously in addition to these remedies..keeping your pet in on hot humid evenings and nights in the summer is a good idea. Write at any time with questions to Dr. Deb
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