Heartworm is a parasite that can infect dogs and cats. If not treated, heartworms can kill your loved pet. The typical treatment for heartworms is toxic and can cause side effects like vomiting and convulsions. The medication also lowers your pet's immunity to other diseases. Because of this, many people have opted to use herbal therapy to help their pets.
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Mugwort
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Mugwort helps fights mosquitoes, the carrier of heartworms. It is similar to wormwood. It is prepared by crushing the leaves and rubbing them into your pet's fur. It can also be burned and your pet placed in the smoke. The mugwort keeps the mosquitoes away so it is less likely your pet will be infected with heartworms.
Tansy
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Tansy, or bitter buttons, works similarly to mugwort. It keeps flies and flying insects away from your pet. It should be crushed and rubbed into the fur or burned as a fumigant. It will reduce the chances of your pet being infected with heartworms.
Killing Heartworms
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Other herbs that are helpful in fighting heartworms are rosemary, thyme, mint, sage, clove, garlic, black seed, licorice, hawthorn, hops, sorrel, apricot pits, milk thistle extract, dried cranberry fruit, wormwood, dried black walnut hull and grapefruit seed extracts. Some of these herbs have been used for thousands of years to kill human parasites. They have also been known to work in animals.
Treatment
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The supplements should be taken twice a day for up to 36 weeks. The reason it takes longer than regular medicine is because it kills the heartworms slower than medicine. However, this also means you don't have to worry about dead heartworms clogging your pet's blood vessels, which can cause circulation problems.
Anti-Parasitic Powder
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Grind cloves, wormwood, rue and neem leaves into a fine powder, then sprinkle the mixture on your pet's food. If he won't eat the mixture hidden in food, you may have to fill empty capsules with the mixture and administer it to him.
Talk To Your Veterinarian
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If you suspect your pet has heartworms, have it first verified by your veterinarian, then discuss using herbal treatments. The veterinarian can help you choose the best herbs and dosages for your pet.
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