Heartworm infestations can cause life-threatening damage to the lungs, heart, liver and kidneys. Traditional heartworm medications and preventatives can cause negative side effects in some animals. Medications, such as Ivermectin, the active ingredient in Heartguard, can cause skin problems, thyroid issues, nerve damage and respiratory problems in some animals. The best way to treat your pet for heartworm is to prevent infestations. If you choose to treat your pet for heartworm holistically, first check with your veterinarian for recommendations.
Things You'll Need
- Food grade diatomaceous earth
- Apple cider vinegar
- Garlic
Instructions
Keep your pet healthy. Feed a nutritious diet and make sure your pet gets plenty of exercise every day. Unhealthy animals are more susceptible to heartworm infestations.
Keep your pet indoors during the hours when mosquitoes are most active. Dawn and dusk are the times when your pet is most likely to be bitten by a mosquito that could have bitten an infected animal.
Add food grade diatomaceous earth to your pet's food daily to help fight worms and other intestinal parasites. Ask your veterinarian for advice on how much diatomaceous earth to add to your pet's food.
Use a small amount of apple cider vinegar in your pet's water daily to help it smell unattractive to mosquitoes. Do not use apple cider vinegar in plastic or aluminum containers. The vinegar can dissolve these materials and allow harmful chemicals and byproducts to mix into your pet's water.
Add small portions of raw garlic to your animal's food to deter mosquitoes from biting. Ask your vet before using garlic as large amounts can cause health problems, such as Heinz body anemia.
Visit a holistic veterinarian for other preventatives, such as heartworm nosode vaccinations. These vaccinations are homeopathic and can help prevent your pet from becoming infested with heartworms.