Tuesday 26 November 2013

How is Heartworm Contracted?

It is very frustrating to see your pets weak, cannot eat, or simply just sick. Since communication is very dim in between owner and pets, especially for first time owners, health issues can gravitate if not detected early. That is why being familiar with your pets' movements and having even just a bit of knowledge on what to look for and expect could be a great help in maintaining a healthy lifestyle for your pet.

One factor that you crucially need to monitor is infestation. Fleas are for one thing but worms are another story. One of the feared parasitic worms that can harm your pet is the heartworm. Considered to be very dangerous for its difficulty of being detected. So how can you tell if your pets already acquired these horrible parasites? Read on to find out.


First let's get to know how does a pet gets infected. An adult heartworm releases its eggs to its host's bloodstream then a mosquito will bite the infected dog and as it sucks blood, the eggs released on the dogs bloodstreams transfers to the mosquito until it bites another pet. Then, another heartworm cycle begins. Once released to the bloodstream of a new host the larvae are then carried to the heart or pulmonary system where it will stay until it reaches adulthood. There it will thrive eating away the heart until it's function get affected. That is the problem when facing heartworm problems. Your pet will only show limited and vague symptoms like weakness and refusal to eat only when the damage is done. Unlike other worms which can easily show through stools, the heartworm can only be detected by means of blood tests.


Once detected, administration of pet medication are extremely important. Revolution is one of the pet meds that are usually administered with this kind of case. There are two separate revolution, Revolution for cats and revolution for dogs. Revolution is a topical treatment. When applied it is quickly absorbed by the skin and into the bloodstream. It kills heartworms and even intestinal worms. Not only that it can also kill fleas that are a suspect to carrying other type of worms such as tapeworms. Revolution is effective for a whole month of combating and preventing more heartworms to mature. Then after a month another dose of Revoltuion is applied for preventive measures. Also keep heartworm appointments up to date to make sure that your pet is always heartworm free.

Wednesday 30 October 2013

Myths About Heartworm Revealed

Do you know the truth about heartworm and how to give your pet the right protection against this parasite? Read on as we reveal the truth about the most common heartworm and heartworm treatment myths.

My pet only needs preventative heartworm treatment

Like most myths, this one holds a grain of truth at its core. Scientists know that heartworm is only transmitted to pets by mosquitoes, so it is only a concern while mosquitoes are around. In the past, weather conditions meant that mosquitoes would die off in the chill of winter and become an issue during the warm, humid spring months. Changes in the climate now mean that mosquito season is considerably longer than it once was, and in many states, mosquitoes are around throughout the year. Heartworm infection occurs with a single bite so it is important to give your pet a heartworm treatment all year round, even if you think mosquito season is over.



Preventative heartworm treatment is only necessary in some areas of the USA.

Some years ago, heartworm was only found in some regions of the United States however, the parasite has now been confirmed in all 50 states. Even in areas where the climate is hot and dry during the summer months, artificial ponds, irrigation systems and agricultural water storage tanks can provide a habitat for heartworm carrying mosquitoes.


Cats don't need preventative heartworm treatment only dogs can be infected.

Heartworm is most commonly found in animals like dogs, foxes and coyotes, but it would be incorrect to assume that cats cannot host this parasite. In fact, statistics suggest that a growing number of felines are being diagnosed with heartworm, meaning that it is essential to provide both cats and dogs with the appropriate preventative heartworm treatment.


Heartworm infection is not fatal.

The myth that heartworm infection is not fatal is a dangerous one the truth is that heartworm is a very serious condition which must be treated for the host animal to survive. An animal which has been infected will experience a number of distressing symptoms as the heartworm multiply inside their body. This is because the heartworm are concentrated around the heart and lungs, which reduces blood and oxygen circulation. Without treatment an infected pet cannot survive.


Indoor pets do not need a regular, preventative heartworm treatment.

You might think that if your dog or cat lives indoors that there is no chance of it getting bitten by a heartworm carrying mosquito, so there is no point spending money on protection against parasites. There is some truth in this, as indoor pets are less likely to be bitten by a mosquito but there is still a risk that a mosquito could get into your home and bite your pet. Don't take chances use a heartworm treatment to avoid infection.


If one pet catches heartworm, it will infect my other pets.

It is very upsetting for an owner to discover that their pet has a heartworm infection and especially so if you believe the myth that the infected animal can pass the parasite onto other pets in the household. The good news is this is just a myth. The only way that a pet can catch heartworm is if they are bitten by an infected mosquito and using a heartworm treatment will reduce the risk significantly.


Pets with heartworm can pass the infection onto humans.

Animal charities and adoption shelters have expressed concern at the number of pets whose owners give them up after a diagnosis of heartworm infection. This may be partly due to the myth that humans can catch heartworm from their pets. In fact, human infection by heartworm is very rare and transmission only occurs through a mosquito bite you cannot catch heartworm from your pet.


Treating heartworm infection is as easy and effective as using a preventative heartworm treatment.

Don't be fooled into thinking that treating heartworm is a good alternative to using a preventative heartworm treatment. Heartworm is very serious illness and the necessary treatment to get rid of it is expensive, time-consuming and can be quite traumatic for the pet. Remember the old phrase prevention is better than a cure? Keep this in mind and provide your pet with all year protection with a preventative heartworm treatment.






Thursday 24 October 2013

How much do you know? Take the flea and heartworm quiz!

True or False : Fleas are annoying, but they aren't actually harmful to pets.

Answer : False.

Although fleas are small, they can cause a number of health problems for cats and dogs. Flea allergy dermatitis, itchy and other skin complaints are a common side-effect of an untreated flea infestation. Fleas can also pass internal parasites to pets, and long-term infestation causes anemia in young animals. Using Revolution every month will stop fleas from getting the opportunity to infest your pet and prevent these flea related problems from happening.

How do heartworm infect pets?

Heartworm is an internal parasite which infects cats and dogs through an intermediate host the mosquito. When a mosquito that is infected with heartworm-larvae bites an animal, the heartworm is passed into the animal's blood stream. The larvae migrates to the heart and lungs where it develops into mature heartworm. Heartworm infestation is a very serious condition and treating pets with the parasite preventative Revolution is always preferable and less stressful than having to treat a pet with curative medicine.


True or False: Revolution must be reapplied if your pet goes swimming or gets wet in the rain.

Answer : False

The anti-parasitic pet medicines Revolution for Cats and Revolution for Dogs contain ingredients which are water fast when dry. Two hours after an application of Revolution, the product will remain effective against parasites even if your pet swims, is bathed or otherwise gets wet. Revolution provides broad spectrum protection against both fleas and heartworm, as well as other parasites for a whole month whatever your pet gets up to!


What should you do if you see fleas or evidence of fleas on your pets?

If you see fleas, or evidence of fleas (such as your pet scratching itself excessively, and black specks in its fur) the first action you should take is to apply Revolution. Revolution kills adult fleas and stops flea eggs from hatching, effectively breaking the flea life cycle and bringing the infestation to a rapid end.


True or False : Revolution can be applied to pets from the age of six weeks.

Answer : True

Pets of all ages need help from their owners to stay free from infestation by fleas and heartworm. Revolution offers a practical and safe way to make sure that even puppies and kittens are protected from these parasites. Revolution for Cats and Revolution for Dogs are approved for use on pets aged six weeks and over.


Thursday 17 October 2013

Can I Split a Larger Dose Between Pets?

Your pet is like your kid that needs proper attention and care. If your pet looks exhausted then maybe he is not feeling well. In that case the best thing that you can do is to consult your veterinarian about what you need to do. For sure, your veterinarian will prescribe vitamins and most probably medications for the disease like heartworm, fleas and ticks that your pet might have.

WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO IF YOUR DOG HAS HEARTWORMS OR FLEAS?

There are different medicines in treating heartworms and fleas for dogs like Revolution. Revolution is a simple way to treat or protect your dog against heartworms and fleas. Revolution is a once a month topical application that is easy to use and apply. Revolution's main ingredient is Selamectin. Revolution is a medication that can be used for puppies from 6 weeks of age and for lactating or pregnant females. Revolution is a water-resistant formulation. Revolution is still effective even after exposing to rain or swimming. Revolution is effective for a full month. When using Revolution, you need to avoid contact with your eyes and make sure to wash your hands after use. Revolution is considered flammable so you better keep it away from heat or other sources of fire. Revolution is color coded based on the weight of your dog. Revolution is available in purple pack for very small dogs (5 - 10lbs), brown pack for small dogs (10 - 20 lbs), red pack for medium dogs (20 - 40 lbs) and teal pack for large dogs (40 - 90 lbs). Revolution is available in 3, 6 and 12 packs. Buy the right Revolution for your dog.


IS IT SAFE TO SPLIT LARGE DOGS OF MEDICINES?

It is not safe and not a good idea to do. If you are thinking of saving money then splitting large dose of medicines will not help you out. It will only double the spending once the disease worsens then you end up bringing your pet to a vet clinic or hospital. If you split a pill, it might not have the same amount of concentrations or ingredients. It will not be as effective as it can be. The active ingredients of the medicines may not be distributed evenly. Make sure to give the correct dosage of medication to your pet to avoid complications that may lead to a more serious damage.

Tuesday 10 September 2013

Can my Dog Catch Fleas in the Park?

A good friend of mine recently adopted her first pet dog - a puppy from our local animal shelter. The young Labrador, whom she has christened Bertie, is a boisterous fellow who can't get enough affection and loves to play outdoors. Susie, my friend, called me last night, sounding rather upset. She told me that she'd taken Bertie to the local park for a stroll, and that when she got home, she spotted fleas running around on his fur. Susie told me that she was surprised that Bertie had caught fleas in the park, and thought it was only possible for a dog to get infested through contact with another animal.

Yes, Your Dog Can Catch Fleas In The Park
Susie, along with many other pet owners, didn't realise that fleas are potentially a big problem. More importantly she didn't know that direct contact with another animal is not needed to pass them on and thought that keeping Bertie away from other dogs was enough to protect him from fleas. There are thousands of flea species around the world, but the one the dog owners need to worry about is called Ctenocephalides canis. This type of flea prefers to feed on dogs, however, it is not unknown for them to give humans a nasty, itchy bite too. What Susie didn't understand about fleas is that they are very widespread and can even lay dormant (in the egg stage) waiting to hatch when suitable prey is nearby. In parks, recreational zones and gardens, fleas can lurk in long grasses and shrubbery, waiting to jump on unprotected pets. A single female flea can lay up to 50 eggs a day, and this means dealing with flea control is an important part of caring for your dog.

How Can I Stop My Dog From Catching Fleas In The Park?
Knowing that I have kept dogs as pets for years, Susie chose the right person to phone for flea advice. I'm going to share what I told her here, to help any other pet owners out there with this problem. My top tip to prevent dogs from catching fleas in the park is to use a pet medication made to kill any fleas that get on your pet. My preferred product for dealing with fleas is Revolution for dogs. I explained to Susie that if she applied Revolution to Bertie's skin on a regular basis, it would prevent fleas from becoming a problem. Revolution is highly effective for getting rid of fleas, but it also helps to protect dogs from ticks, heartworm and sarcoptic mange, making it an excellent all-rounder. By applying Revolution, Susie can happily take Bertie out to the park again and not worry about the dangers of fleas and other parasites.

Tuesday 3 September 2013

Using Revolution for Dogs to Prevent Fleas

No matter how much we love our pets, they're not completely domesticated. That is why one needs extra caution when it comes to medicating pets. Depending on the breed, some dogs are easily agitated or turn very violent, even if it's you who's dosing them. Thankfully, Pfizer has come up with Revolution for dogs which is so practical and easy to use. Revolution for dogs is the first FDA approved pet med that, apart from fleas, covers a host of infestations such as the American dog tick, ear mites, and sarcoptic mange. Revolution for dogs come in boxes that are classified according to weight and color so it's easier to remember when purchasing.

Some medications only come in suspension or pill form, but with Revolution, you avoid the hassle of mixing the med or using special applicators to get the job done. It's probably not the first time you'll hear of a pet owner complains about how it took too much time to medicate one's own pet, or how much medicine has been wasted while struggling to pop the pill or the liquid medication into your pet's mouth. With Revolution, this is not the case at all since it comes in a tube and is so easy to apply.

Revolution for dogs is a monthly dose that is simply applied to the back of your dog's neck, which should be dried for two hours. Afterwards, your pet is free to do water related activities. With that single application of Revolution, your dog is protected for the entire month from all those pests! You don't have to worry about buying separate medications for fleas, heartworm, ticks, mites, and mange because it's all there in that one small tube of Revolution. Revolution for dogs is guaranteed to eliminate those flea infestations in a month, true, but the possibility of re-infestation can happen if your dog socializes with other pets with the bugs, or if it runs into flea infested territories. Therefore, it's better to continuously dose your dogs with Revolution even if it seems like it's already pest free.

Another advantage that should be highlighted when it comes to using Revolution for dogs is it's absolutely safe to use. Revolution for dogs has minimal side effects, such as upset stomach and possibly fur loss in the area where the medication was applied, but this are only minor reactions which disappear eventually.

Now armed with such information, you know your pet will always be protected once you choose Revolution.

Tuesday 27 August 2013

Does Revolution Flea Control Treat Roundworms and Hookworms?

Wondering what are roundworms and hookworms? Yes you're right they are worms but let me give you a brief description of these parasites which affect pets. Roundworms and hookworms are specifically intestinal parasites. Both hookworms and roundworms loves to live in the digestive system of your pet in particular the stomach and intestines. As a pet owner it would be a big problem if these intestinal parasites keep on pestering your pet hence being a pet owner we should always treat our pets with utmost love and care which entails their health as well.

Both hookworms and roundworms invade our pets body in a more similar way. Hookworms anchor their mouth to the layer covering the small intestines and extract blood and tissue fluids from the host while roundworms occurs in high incidence among puppies in which when born and the mother is infected it will pass the worms to the puppy. Another way roundworm affects puppies is by ingesting the larvae eggs from the surroundings which is infected with roundworms. To be honest it was only 6 years ago that my husband and I became concern about this intestinal parasites because it's that time that we had Jose, our little, cutie Shih-Tzu.

I will be sharing based on our experience as pet owners on how we did prevented Jose from acquiring these hookworms and roundworms all through these years. The first thing that we did was going to our local vet and ask suggestions which pet medications are good in preventing such parasites and our vet recommended only one product and was called Revolution. Revolution is speak highly of by our vet because of its quality and effectiveness. Jose's vet was a dog owner himself and a loyal user of Revolution. With this recommendation, my husband and I immediately bought Revolution for Jose. Since then until now he still uses Revolution regularly. I have talked about the Revolution getting it from the local vet. But with the technology today, it is readily available just using your hands and eyes which is thru online.

Let me share a summarize description of what Revolution is. If you are concerned with the safety of your pet, Revolution is safe to use in which in dogs as early as 6 weeks of age and in cats 8 weeks of age. Revolution is applied in monthly basis and Revolution is a topical medication. Revolution has its main ingredient known as selamectin which penetrates the skin and enters the bloodstream which eventually enters the pet's tissue and bloodstream. Aside from preventing and treating hookworms and roundworms, Revolution also protects your pet from fleas, sarcoptic mange in dogs while controls mites in cats. In addition, it restricts the American Dog Tick infestation.

Hence, answering the title of this article "Does Revolution Flea Control treat Roundworms and Hookworms?" definitely YES. So go now to your local vet or favorite online pet store and get some Revolution for your pet.