Heartworms

Heartworm disease is named because the adult worms live in the right side of the heart. Heartworms are spread by mosquitoes, and thus are found throughout the world. In the United States gthe prevalence is highest along the southeastern Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, but heartworms has been found in all 50 states. The disease is less prevalent at higher elevations. In theory, the best way to prevent heartworms is to keep your dog from being bitten by a mosquito. Unfortunately, preventing mosquito bites can never be 100 percent effective.


A prevention program should be started at 6 to 8 weeks of age in endemic areas, or as soon thereafter as climate conditions dictate. In the Deep South, where mosquitoes are a year-round problem, dogs should be kept on preventive drugs all year long. Consult your Pet Med store or your veterinarian.




Heartworm Preventives: Pet Med online store has all of these:

Heartgard is given once a month. This drug acts on the L(4) larvae. Dogs do not have to be heartworm-free to initiate therapy; dogs infected for as long as two months before treatment will not develop heartworms. Heartgard is marketed in chewable tablets of different sizes, depending on the weight of the dog.

Heartgard Plus is a popular chewable tablet taht combines ivermectin with pyrantel pamoate. This combination prevents heartworms, and also controls roundworms and hookworms.

Interceptor (milbemycin oxime) is another administered once-a-month heartworm preventive that also acts on the L(4) larvae. This drug also controls hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms. It is safer to use on Collies and Collie crosses.

Selamectin (Revolution) is a once-a-month liquid heartworm preventive applied to the skin of the dog's neck between the shoulder blades. It is available from your veterinarin in premeasured doses based on the dog's size and age. A principal advantage of selamectin is that it also controls adult fleas and prevents flea eggs from hatching for one month.

Pet Training Tools

Puppies should always be trained using a regular collar, and specialized training collars should b used later only if necessary. A well-trained dog with no major issues may never need a training collar. Contact your Pet med store.

The choke collar is often used to "strangle" a pulling dog instead of the fast pop and release it's intended for. The choke collar may cause neck and throat damage if overused. A properly fitted prong (or "pinch") collar can be gentler than a choke collar, offering power steering for large leash-pullers.

Nylon limited-slip collars and martingale collars are similar to chokes, except they don't tighten all the way. Head halters have become popular and are effective for leash-pullers and those dogs who lunge at other dogs. Toy dogs and pugs often use harnesses instead of collars. Your Pet Meds online stores have great selections.

• Many trainers believe in positive reinforcement only and do not allow chain or prong collars.
• A head halter is self-correcting, so the handler shouldn't pull or jerk on it.
• In training, the dog walkes on the left. Holding the leash in your right hand leaves the hand next to your dog free to give signals, pet, or give treats.

Dogs Age In Human Years

An old general rule is that dog year is equivalent to seven human years, but this is not always accurate. Dogs age at different rates than humans do. Dogs also vary in how quickly they age. In general, small breeds live longer than larger ones-occasionally, twice as long. The following chart is an examle of average figures for all breeds of dogs, based on their size. this will help you when you inquire information at your Pet Meds store.

Dog Age:........................... Human Years
...............Up to 20 lbs .... 21-50 lbs.... 51-90 lbs.... Over 90 lbs
......5............ 36 ................. 37............... 40.................. 40
......6............ 40.................. 42............... 45.................. 49
......7............ 44.................. 47............... 50.................. 56
.....11........... 60.................. 65............... 72................... 86
.....13........... 68.................. 74............... 82................. 101
.....15........... 76.................. 83............... 93................. 115
.....16........... 80.................. 87............... 99................. 123