[kjc]

While conventional prevention and treatment of heartworm is very effective, it is increasingly being acknowledged in the veterinarian profession that there are a number of health risks associated with this form of treatment. Preventative medication used for heartworm is not really preventing the infestation - it is a way of killing off the larvae circulating in your pet’s body during the early stages - before they get to adult stage and cause damage. The chemicals used in these drugs are pesticides. Although they are used preventatively in small amounts, because they are administered regularly month after month, the damage to the animal’s system is cumulative. Some side effects listed for heartworm preventative drugs are weakness, vomiting, convulsions and diarrhea. More importantly, regular use can weaken your pet’s immune system and place strain on kidneys and liver. This can result in greater susceptibility to infection and other diseases. Many holistic vets are of the opinion that long-term use of heartworm prevention drugs is one of the factors in the development of diseases like skin allergies, arthritis, liver and kidney diseases and even some forms of cancer. So while conventional ‘preventative’ treatment against heartworm may help to keep your pet heartworm free, it can also cause other problems, some of which are potentially just as serious as heartworm disease.