Wednesday 18 July 2012

Heartworm Areas of the USA

Of all the parasites that your dog or cat may come into contact with, the heartworm is the one which is probably the most frightening. Heartworm, Dirofilaria immitis, is a type of parasitic roundworm that is transmitted to animals, like your pet, by the bite of an infected mosquito. The mosquito itself becomes infected when it bites an animal which already has heartworm. The now infected mosquito then goes onto bite another animal and heartworm larvae is passed into that animal's bloodstream. These microscopic larvae continue to grow inside the infected animal's body, maturing into long worms which live within the heart and lung tissues. This is obviously not beneficial for your pet's well-being, causes a number of serious health problems and can eventually lead to the death of the animal. In some rare cases, heartworm has also been passed onto humans.

Heartworm in the USA

The horrible heartworm has been recognized as a threat to animals for many years, and was first reported in the United States in 1846. The heartworm parasite was originally confined to the south-eastern states of the USA, however over recent years cases of infection have spread dramatically. According to incidence maps produced by the American Heartworm Association, and based on data provided by veterinary clinics across the country, heartworm infection has now been recorded in all 50 states. Noted heartworm hotspots are within 150 miles of the Gulf and Atlantic coasts and close to the Mississippi River.

Why is the Heartworm Problem Growing in the USA?

Scientists have suggested several reasons for the spread of heartworm throughout the United States. Climate change has caused milder autumn and winter temperatures which allow mosquitoes to thrive, while the development of urban areas has created areas of stagnant water which provide a breeding ground for these flying menaces. Another significant change in human habits which has allowed heartworm to spread throughout the nation is our ability to travel further and with greater ease. Pets and wild animals which move between different areas may come into contact with infected mosquitoes, and then, take that infection wherever they go.

How to Beat Heartworm with Revolution

Fortunately, there is some good news about the heartworm problem, and that is – it's preventable and treatable. The best solution to any problem is to prevent is occurring in the first place, which is why many pet experts and veterinarians are now recommending that you use a preventative product like Revolution. Revolution for dogs and Revolution for cats are anti-parasite pet meds which contain the active ingredient selamectin. The broad-spectrum formula of Revolution is designed to offer pets all-year round protection from heartworm infection through a monthly topical application. This means that whichever state you live in, you can be assured that Revolution will dramatically reduce the risk of your pet becoming infested with this parasite. Revolution also protects against fleas, ticks and earmites, making it a perfect choice for any pet owner who wants the best for their dog or cat.

Wednesday 4 July 2012

Is it adequate to dose monthly with Revolution?


If, like me, you have a dog or a cat, you've probably already discovered that keeping your pet free from fleas, ticks and other parasites can be a tricky (and sometimes expensive) business. Flea collars, anti-parasite shampoos, powders and sprays are all widely available over the counter, but in my experience, they just don't work as well as I'd like them to. Sure, your pet may be flea free for a few days, but as soon as you think you have the all clear, those horrible little blood-suckers are back! The majority of these products also fail to protect against anything more than fleas, which can mean purchasing numerous shampoos, collars or drops to achieve your goal of year round freedom from internal and external parasites.


I'm sure that I'm not alone in saying that over the years I've spent a fortune trying to find an anti-flea and parasite solution that really works. I have to admit I was getting to the end of my leash when my veterinarian finally introduced me to Revolution. The vet explained that Revolution for dogs and Revolution for cats are FDA approved pet meds that contain the active ingredient Selamectin, making Revolution very different from your usual flea collar or anti-parasite shampoo. 

Unsurprisingly, one of the first questions I asked about Revolution is whether a monthly dose would be enough for adequate and long-lasting protect against parasites. It seemed impossible to me that a few drops of liquid applied to an animal's skin could prevent not only fleas but ticks, ear mite and heartworm too. However, once I understood how Revolution works, I can see how it succeeds in being so effective. The veterinarian explained that Revolution is absorbed by the animal's skin into their blood and then released gradually by the glands over the next 30 days. As Revolution kills both adult fleas and flea eggs, it helps to break the reproductive cycle, and prevents that problem of re-infestation occurring. The presence of Revolution in the pet's blood-stream also works as a preventative against internal parasites.

Revolution is a well chosen name for this product, because it really is a revolution for pet owners and their furry friends. I personally feel that using Revolution on a monthly basis is much easier on the pocket than spending cash on products which fail to provide all round protection. I even found a website called Pet Shed that sells Revolution at a good price. If you haven't yet tried Revolution as flea control for your pets, why not give it a go and discover for yourself the efficacy of this innovative anti-parasite formula.