Natural Heartworm Treatment

Heartworm is a disease commonly found in dogs, though it can also be found cats, ferrets and, in rare cases, humans. While standard treatment includes pills obtained from veterinarians, other natural-treatment options are available.

  1. What is heartworm?

    • Heartworm is a parasite that lives in the heart and lungs of mammals, most commonly dogs. It is transferred when a mosquito drinks blood that is infected with microfilariea; the microfilariea then grow into larvae inside the mosquito and are transferred to the next animal the mosquito bites. The larvae travel through the bloodstream to the arteries of the lungs and into the heart, where they take six months to mature. They can live five to seven years inside the animal as mature parasites and can cause damage to the organs in which they reside, eventually leading to death if left untreated.

      The American Heartworm Society says the disease is present in every U.S. state, though it is concentrated most heavily in the southeast.

    Signs and Symptoms

    • A newly infected animal may not show signs of infection right away as the parasite takes time to multiply enough to produce symptoms. A heavily infected dog may show reluctance to move or exercise, decreased appetite, and a persistent cough. Fatigue after only moderate exercise and weight loss may also indicate the presence of heartworm.

    Herbal Remedies

    • Herbs have been used as natural treatments for heartworm. Several are typically used in combination to treat the disease. The following, while by no means an exhaustive list, are some commonly used herbs: wormwood, Hawthorne berry, black walnut and yucca.

      Herbal remedies may take up to six months to complete treatment. You should design your treatment protocol with your veterinarian and continue taking your dog in for checkups.

    Caution

    • According to the American Heartworm Society, treatment of heartworm can be dangerous for your pet. As the parasites die, your dog's body needs time to remove them. Strenuous exercise should be avoided during this time as it could cause dead parasites to travel into the lungs and potentially cause respiratory failure and death. Some natural herbal supplements claim that because the treatment takes several weeks or months, this precaution is unnecessary. However, you should consult with your veterinarian before allowing your dog to exert itself.