There are two types of roundworms that may infect your dog (Toxocara canis and Toxascaris leonina). And there are several ways in which your dog may become infected:

• Nursing pups are infected by the infected mother.
• A pregnant mother will pass the worms on to embryonic young (so that her young will be born w/ the parasites).
• Dogs that consume an infected animal (such as a rat) will then become infected as well.
• During normal grooming, your dog may ingest roundworm eggs that are in the soil.

If you are adopting a cute little puppy and think it is okay to wait on any veterinarian visit, know that most puppies are born with parasites. Once infected, you dog may experience vomiting and diarrhea. The worms may or may not be present in any vomit.

They can be up to seven inches in length, round, and may even still be alive and moving once passed. It is important to note that if you own an infected dog, you and your family are also at risk for infection (along w/ your other household pets).

Cats can become infected by feline roundworms (Toxascaris leonina and Toxocara cati) in the same manner as dogs. They are just as damaging in cats, and humans can also be infected by feline roundworms.

Hookworms can cause your dog or cat to vomit and have severe diarrhea. It is one of the most common parasites in household animals. They pose a health risk to cats and dogs because they feed on your pet’s blood once inside the intestine (where they attach themselves and begin to live on the blood of your cat or dog). This will cause severe anemia.

It is vital that you take all new pets for their initial checkup at the veterinarian. Thereafter, be sure that your pet goes to all annual visits. During your cat or dog’s first checkup, the doctor will perform a simple fecal test to see if he or she is infected with any parasites. Results take only a minute or two. If parasites are found, the veterinarian will give a de-wormer (which may include a follow-up exam).

Once your pet has been de-wormed, it will be up to you to ensure that he or she does not get infected again. Prevention is the only sure thing when it comes to roundworms and hookworms. Heartgard is very cost effective, easy to use, and can be given to your cat or dog as early as six weeks of age.

It has been proven effective for many years and can be purchased in many places (such as your veterinarian’s office or over the internet). Your cat and/or dog can live a long and healthy life but it is up to you to ensure his or her medical care. Without using a simple prevention method like Heartgard, your pet can become very ill and cause you more veterinarian bills than you can cover.

There are more than two thousand species of fleas. The prevailing dog flea is called Ctenocephalides Canis (which will also feed on humans, cats, and other animals). Two days after mating, the female flea will begin to lay her eggs (up to fifteen sets and up to fifty eggs per day).

The eggs can be laid anywhere in your home (such as furniture) or on your dog. If laid on your dog, the eggs can and often do fall off into the environment (anywhere in your home).

Within a matter of weeks, hundreds of new fleas hatch. The alarming rate of reproduction is of this tiny creature is just one thing one must consider when making that important decision on proper dog care. When it comes to those pesky fleas, the other (and most important) thing to consider is the damage that can be done to your dog’s health.

Fleas can give your dog tapeworms, which can lead to abdominal upset and/or further health complications. The Plague is also transmitted by fleas; as is Typhus. All of these can make your dog very ill and can even be transmitted to you, the pet owner.

Both ticks and fleas can transmit Haemobartonellosis; which affects the red blood cells and can lead to death. Ticks also transmit a bacterial disease called Tularemia (which can also be transmitted to humans).

Knowing all the damage that fleas and ticks can do to you and your dog, it is easy to understand why flea/tick control is so important. Prevention is the only true key to ensuring the health and safety of your dog (and possibly your family). Frontline Plus for dogs is affordable and easy to use.

Be sure that your dog is at least eight weeks old before application. Within twenty-four hours of application, Frontline Plus will kill 98-100% of any fleas and ticks on your dog. It will also put an end to the flea and tick life cycle.

Along with killing the adult fleas currently infesting your dog, Frontline Plus for dogs will also kill both larvae and eggs to ensure that even the young cannot grow and hatch. Frontline Plus will kill the tick that carries the dreaded Lyme Disease.

Frontline Plus for dogs is waterproof to offer continued protection throughout the month. The only thing that you, the pet owner, needs to remember is that in order to be completely effective Frontline Plus must be applied every thirty days. This is the key to breaking the cycle and keeping it broken.

Do not let your home be bombarded by fleas. And do not put your dog’s health at stake. Just because you do not see fleas does not mean that he or she does not have them. Most of us do not know until there is a massive infestation. Using Frontline Plus for Dogs can and will save your dog’s health and save you unwanted trips to the veterinarian.

Prevention is a very important part of your pet’s health. It includes things such as flea control, vaccinations, and prevention of parasites: such as heartworms.

Dogs and cats are infected with heartworms when they are bitten by a mosquito that is carrying heartworm microfilaria (or larvae). After being bitten by the infected mosquito, the young heartworm larvae will enter the body of the new host via the bite site. Within months, the larvae will move into the bloodstream of your pet, and then migrate to areas such as the heart and arteries of the lungs.

They will then grow into adults up to 30cm in length. Some pets may eventually show symptoms of Heartworm Disease that may include: fatigue, seizures, swelling of the abdominal area, and/or a cough. Symptoms may not even become apparent until it is too late.

Without treatment, your dog or cat can eventually experience cardiovascular collapse, leading to death. Even treatment itself can be fatal; if the disease is in more advanced stages. Treatment bears a great financial expense and can also be very hard on your pet.

It cannot be stated enough that using Heartgard to prevent Heartworm Disease is probably one of the most important preventative measures you can offer your cat or dog. Heartgard prescriptions can be obtained for both cats and dogs. Your pet’s Heartgard will come in the form of a beef flavored tablet that will need to be given only once a month.

This simple heartworm preventative kills the larvae before they can develop and cause any damage to your pet. Heartgard cannot kill adult heartworms that are already present. Giving animals a heartworm preventative when they are already carrying adults in their system can make them ill or even be fatal. This is why a prescription is needed before you can obtain any preventative.

Your dog will need a simple blood test to detect any heartworms. If none are detected, a Heartgard prescription can then be given. Heartworms are more difficult to detect in cats. X-rays may be used for cats. Another option would be both antibody and antigen tests to detect the parasites. Like dogs, once your cat is given a clean bill of health, he or she may begin taking Heartgard.

Heartgard is a gift that you can offer your pet. It can and will save the life of your cat and/or dog. The low cost of this preventative, along with the simplicity of use and it’s effectiveness, is what makes Heartgard such a wonderful gift. You cannot not afford to give the gift of life and safety to those wonderful animals that give so much to us all. Using Heartgard is the most effective and cost effective way to prevent Heartworm Disease.

However, it is very important to remember that Heartgard Plus is a preventative, not a treat. You will give the preventative to your dog every thirty days to keep the heartworm cycle from starting. Make sure that you mark the Heartgard Plus treatment dates on your calendar so that you do not give your dog his or or tablets too soon or too late. If you miss a dose, you will want to take your pet to the veterinarian for another heartworm test.

It is vital to remember that he or she could be bitten by a mosquito and infected during the time that he or she is not protected. If you were to give your dog a dose after being infected with heartworms, it could potentially make him or her ill. This is why it takes a prescription to obtain Heartgard Plus. But, at only once a month, it should be easy for you to remember.

Again, though this is a preventative, it does taste like a treat to most dogs. Keep all Heartgard Plus in a high cabinet, where your pet cannot access it. You don’t want him or her getting a hold of it while you are at work and eating the entire box! Occasionally, there are dogs that do not like the taste of the tablet.

If this is the case, all you have to do is add some additional enticement. As long as your dog does not have any allergies to any of the following, here are some tricks of the trade for those finicky pets: try wrapping the Heartgard Plus tablet in a piece of deli meat or cheese; or you may spread some peanut butter on the tablet. These tricks usually do the job. However, you probably won’t have to try any tricks, as most dogs do enjoy the beef flavor of the tablet.

So, what is the simplest (and one of the most important) thing that you can do for your dog? Protect him or her from getting heartworms. Heartgard Plus is very affordable and you will be saving your dog’s life

Heartgard is the simple, low-cost, effective method of preventing heartworms. A prescription is required to obtain Heartgard because one must be sure that your pet is not already infected with the parasite. Giving preventatives to an animal that already has heartworms may cause serious or possibly fatal side effects. Take your pet to the veterinarian, where a small amount of blood will be taken from your pet. You will know within minutes if he or she already has heartworms. If not, your veterinarian will give you the prescription that you need for Heartgard.

Fortunately, Heartgard is not one of those medications that you literally have to force into your pet’s throat. It is a beef flavored tablet that most pets actually enjoy (as if it is a treat). For the minority of dogs that are finicky and refuse it (or spit it out), try wrapping a piece of cheese or deli meat around the tablet. It is a trick that usually works. When using Heartgard for cats, the same trick may be used.

Do make sure you watch your cat or dog to make sure that he or she really has chewed and then swallowed the tablet. If those finicky eaters go behind your back and spit it out, your pet could be infected with heartworms the next time he or she is bitten by a mosquito. Giving Heartgard to your dog or cat is as simple as giving it a treat, and it is something that you only have to give once a month. Once you give your pet his or her their first dose, mark thirty days later on your calendar as the next due date. Simple.

You will find that the low cost of Heartgard is nominal compared to what you would have to pay the doctors if your pet does get heartworms. If he or she does get the disease, you may not know it until it is too late. Some of the signs (coughing, lethargy) often do not show until later stages. Heartworms can be fatal. Treatment is very costly, with the numerous office visits needed for treatment and follow-ups.

Some pet parents find that it is cheaper to just put their dog or cat to sleep rather than treat the disease. Fortunately, Heartgard’s low price preventative is here to keep your beloved pet healthy. Once the veterinarian has given your pet a prescription, you may also opt to purchase Heartgard over the internet (where you may find additional discounts).

The most important benefit of Heartgard is that it is effective. It will save the life of your cat and/or dog. Think of how much your pets give to you. Give them that much in return. Take care of them. Save their lives by preventing heartworms.

Heartworm disease is transferred from one animal to another via mosquitoes. Adult heartworms living within one host will release Microfilaria (heartworm larvae) into the bloodstream of that host. Mosquitoes taking in blood from the infected host will become infected with the Microfilaria. When the mosquito bites your dog, the infective larvae will enter him or her through the bite wound and live just beneath the skin for up to two weeks. They will then move to the chest and abdominal muscles of your pet. A few months later, the larvae will enter the blood stream and enter the heart and lungs. They will grow into adults, measuring up to 30cm in length. Your pet’s infestation may be minor or severe, and may show no symptoms of the disease until it is too late.

That is why it is vital that you prevent the infection before it even starts. Heartgard Plus can do this. If you have not done so already, you must have your pet tested for the disease before starting his or her monthly dose. Heartgard Plus requires a prescription from your veterinarian. If you give an infected dog a preventative, it could possibly cause a severe reaction, and on rare cases lead to death. When you take your pet to the doctor, a simple blood test will be performed and you will know within minutes whether or not he or she has the disease. Once given a clean bill of health, you can begin to give your pet monthly dosing of Heartgard Plus.

Your dog’s Heartgard Plus will come in the form of a beef flavored tablet. Most dogs actually eat it as if it is a treat. If your dog refuses to chew it, or spits it out, it can be wrapped in cheese or a bit of peanut butter to make it even more tasty. Remember that Heartgard Plus is an anti-parasitic medicine that is given only once a month. Your dog’s dosage will be based on weight and it is also very important that you do not miss a monthly dose. Your dog could become infected in the one month that you forget to give him his preventative. You will then have to spend more money by paying for another doctor visit, and another blood test.

Every year there are a tremendous number of dog fatalities due to heartworms. That is why prevention is so very important. Most pet owners consider their animals to be family members. You love your dog. Start him or her on Heartgard Plus right away. The cost of the preventative is token compared to the possibility of losing something that you love so very much. Once the veterinarian has prescribed Heartgard Plus for your dog, you do have the option of purchasing it over the computer so that you won’t have to make trips to the doctor for purchase. You may also find discounts over the computer.

Your dog is devoted to you. Be devoted in return and start him or her on Heartgard Plus as soon as possible.