Instructions
Heartworms
Limit the amount of time that your dog spends outside alone, as heartworms are transferred to dogs by being bit by an infected mosquito. Heartworms are long, thin worms that attack the heart, causing blocked blood vessels, breathing problems and other heart conditions.
Visit a veterinarian to receive a prescription for preventative heartworm medication that should be given to your dog on a monthly basis. You can purchase heartworm medication directly from a veterinarian or you may purchase cheaper medicine from an online pet medication site. Reputable sites require a veterinarian prescription for heartworm medication so be wary of any online retailer that does not.
Start preventative medication even if you suspect that your dog is already suffering from heartworms. Signs of heartworm include coughing, fatigue and difficulty in breathing. While preventative medication will not kill adult heartworms that are already present in your dog's heart, it will weaken them and prevent any further worms from developing.
Fleas
Purchase a topical flea medication that will prevent fleas from developing on your dog. Flea medication, which can be purchased from both your veterinarian or at pet and grocery stores, comes in many different varieties. As a general rule, the cheaper the medication, the less likely it will be effective.
Apply a few drops of the topical medication onto your dog's neck every month in order to prevent fleas. Fleas tend to be most active during the months of April to August and cause your dog to be very itchy, lose its hair and develop tapeworm.
Look for signs of fleas, such as black specks known as "flea dirt" which appear where your dog sleeps. When you rub the specks with a damp paper towel, the flea dirt will cause a reddish smear. Treating fleas requires the use of flea collars, powders, sprays or shampoos which can be a hassle and require multiple applications. It is always better to take preventative action than treat fleas.
Ticks
Avoid allowing your dog in areas that are more prone to ticks, such as wooded areas as well as environments with tall grass or low brushes. Time of year and the area of the country you live are also variables in terms of risks of tick activity.
Make use of preventative measures if your dog travels in areas with high tick concentration. Tick collars or topical medication that can be purchased at pet stores can act as a way to prevent ticks from attaching to your dog as well as help in the detachment of present ticks.
Remove a tick as soon as it is noticed in order to prevent any further complications. Using tweezers, grab the tick close to the head. Gently pull the tick out of the skin. Do not use a quick motion or twist the tick off, instead pull the tick straight up and out.
How to Prevent Heartworms, Fleas, & Ticks
Heartworms, fleas and ticks are common parasites that can affect your dog, jeopardizing its health by making it sick, or in some cases, causing parasite-born diseases. There are ways to prevent dogs from getting heartworms, fleas or ticks that all dog owners should practice. It is almost always cheaper and less stressful to take the steps in preventing worms, fleas or ticks than it is to treat an illness stemming from a parasite.