Treating heartworms in dogs can be very aggressive and very hard on the animal. To kill the heartworms, some treatments give the dog poisons and put it on the brink of death in order to kill the heartworms. There are other options that might be gentler on the dog and still help cure the disease. There are several herbs that work together to help kill heartworms; black walnut hulls are one of those items.
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Function
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Black walnut contains cleansing agents and works on the intestines. According to Healthy Happy Dogs, black walnut helps the metabolism and makes the animal less likely to be a victim of parasites, such as fleas, ticks and mosquitoes, which carry heartworms. If the dog is already infected, black walnut acts like a wormer to help cleanse the system.
Treatments
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Black walnut tends to be a better herb for prevention. Holistic vets usually recommend using it to avoid more chemicals in the dog's system. Black walnut is usually given with a combination of herbs. It is not given alone to treat heartworms.
Other herbal treatments include an Artemisia Combination, HSII Combination, CoQ10 Plus and Yucca. Each item treats a specific area and works in conjunction with the others for a holistic treatment.
Holistic treatment for the prevention of heartworm is similar to the treatment if your dog should contract heartworms. The goal is to kill the larvae before they can mature and fill the heart. The object for natural prevention is to make the animal less desirable to the parasites.
Prevention
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For prevention, a general guideline for black walnut capsules (500 mg per capsule) goes as follows: For dogs under 5 lbs., use a 1/8 capsule; 5 to 25 lbs., 1/4 capsule; and 26 lbs. and higher, 1/2 capsule. Give black walnut 5 days a week and mix with food.
Solution
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If your dog has been diagnosed with heartworms, the recommended dosage is a little higher for some dogs. For dogs up to 30 lbs., use 1/4 capsule. For dogs more than 31 lbs., use 1/2 capsule. Still give black walnut 5 days a week and mix with food.
Warning
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Black walnut has been found to be an allergen in some dogs, causing hives and other types of allergic reactions. When giving it, watch your dog closely for any reactions to the pill. Also, do not overdo black walnut hull. More is not better. It can be toxic if given too much. Black walnut is not meant as a sole item for treatment, but works with other herbs for complete treatment.
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