Most medications that are purported to prevent heartworms in cats and dogs are actually a chemical insecticide that kills young worms before they reach adulthood. The medication can present some serious health risks when administered over many months, and some side effects include diarrhea, vomiting, and convulsions. To avoid these potential health risks, some veterinarians recommend using natural or herbal medications instead of the chemical insecticide to keep your pets heartworm-free.
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Black Walnut Hulls
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Black walnut hulls are a natural source of chromium and iodine, which are substances with noted antifungal and anti-worm properties. The hulls also contain a substance called juglone, a chemical that prevents plant growth around the roots of trees and is reported to be helpful in preventing and curing heartworms. Tinctures made from the hulls are available at health stores and can be added directly to your pet's food. Too much black walnut hull can be toxic to your pets, so consult a veterinary herbalist for dosage recommendations.
Mugwort
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Mugwort is commonly found in herbal pet medicines and can be used to prevent heartworms by repelling mosquitoes, which carry the heartworm disease. The leaves of this common roadside plant can be ingested orally in caplets or can be crushed and rubbed into your pet's fur to keep mosquitoes and other parasites away.
Licorice and Garlic
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Heartworms primarily affect the heart and lungs, and licorice promotes lung health by cleaning the blood, reducing inflammation, and promoting the growth of healthy lung tissue. Garlic is reported to create an inhospitable environment for parasitic worms in the blood. It also has antimicrobial properties and stimulates the immune system, which can help your pet fight off the heartworms naturally. Both of these plants can be added directly to your pet's food or found in capsule form at your local health store.
Other Herbal Treatments
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Some other natural herbal remedies to prevent or cure heartworms in your pets include cloves, wormwood (a cousin of the mugwort plant), neem, rue, spearmint, turmeric root, sage, milk-thistle extract, and dried cranberries. Many of these plants and herbs have been used historically to prevent parasitic worms in humans and may be effective in animals as well.
Always consult a veterinarian before giving your pet any of the herbal treatments mentioned in this article.
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