Infected mosquitoes are the cause of heartworm in dogs so the best treatment is prevention. The key is to keep your pet in good health and armed with a strong immune system, but if he does get bitten by an infected mosquito, holistic treatments are available. Natural treatments work by slowly killing the adult heartworms over a period of time instead of killing the worms all at once like traditional heartworm medicine.
-
Diet
-
By keeping your dog healthy, that alone will help prevent heartworm as mosquitoes tend to bite animals with weak immune systems. Exercise your dog daily and keep him on a good diet that is low in fat and grains. Opt for real food products like lean chicken, beef, sweet potatoes, carrots, and rice; or purchase premium dog food like Wellness, Eagle Pack and Life's Abundance as they are free from wheat, sugar, preservatives, artificial colors and flavors.
Fish oil containing omega-3 fatty acids helps combat certain health conditions like dry skin, allergies, ear infections, and even autoimmune disorders. When taken regularly, the essential fatty acids can prevent such conditions and help keep your dog's health in check. Essential fatty acids can also help with digestion and cleansing of the bowels, making your dog healthier and giving him the immunity he needs to ward off mosquitoes. Feed your dog fresh cold-water fish like salmon, and add fish oil to his food.
Natural Supplements
-
Supplements are an alternative when a dog is infected with larvae. Supplements can prevent heartworms from maturing into adulthood, and help keep your dog in tip-top shape.
Garlic and brewer's yeast are a popular choice because mosquitoes dislike the smell, and the brewer's yeast contains B vitamins which helps keep the dog's skin and coat healthy.
Hawthorn berries and Herb of Grace assist in cleansing the dog's arteries, balance blood pressure, and strengthen the heart.
Black Walnut is a tannin similar to those found in tea and red wine, and like Capsicum, it aids digestion with its cleansing abilities.
Neem is worm resistant and a great natural mosquito repellent.
Artemisia and cloves create an unpleasant setting for heartworms.
Prevention
-
Use mosquito control in your yard during peak season and mow your lawn weekly. Something as simple as a citronella candle can help keep mosquitoes at bay. Mosquitoes love to breed in hot, moist areas so remove empty buckets from the yard in order to prevent water from collecting when it rains.
Apply a natural mosquito repellent to your dog containing essential oils like tea tree oil, peppermint, cinnamon oil, lemongrass, clove and thyme. Because you are using natural oils, they can be applied every two weeks instead of once a month like traditional mosquito repellents. Remember to reapply essential oils after you bathe your dog.
-