houyee
Novice
Jul 2, 2003, 11:14 AM
Post #11 of 15
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heartworms are actually microfilarias (Dilofilaria immitis) (same group as the pest that causes filiariasis/elephantiasis) and is transmitted via the bite of a mosquito. the microfilaria, once injected into the bloodstream, can grow up to a foot long in the major blood vessels of dogs and cats (and foxes and musangs and what have yous in the wild). these mature worms is capable of releasing thousands of microfilaria into the blood stream which can be readily transmitted and spread by a nyamuk. puppies are most susceptible to heartworms because of the small size of their hearts in relation to a mature adult worm. if there is a high worm load, puppies will go into heart failure, among other complications. heartgard contains the drug, ivermectin, in very small doses (multiples of 68 micrograms), and is taken monthly to prevent the disease. it is yummy cause the drug is mixed with treats. heardguard plus on the other hand has pyrantel pamoate (your zentel lah) mixed in it which can take care of hookworms, roundworms, pinworms, tapeworms and whatever other worms which lives in the intestines and spread via fecal-oral route. the injection, proheart, on the other hand, contains moxidectin in microspheres which will release the drug over the next 6-12 months. both ivermectin and moxidectin decreases microfilaria load but does not kill the adult worm. thus it is good for prevention, but NOT treatment of dogheartworms. i think they have other drugs to actually kill the adults but have lotsof side effects. that is why people usually test for heartworms before starting preventive medications via a simple blood test (looking for microfilaria under the microscope) or a very specific (thus $$$) antigen test. all these drugs are also dosed based on weight, so the bigger your doggie the more pokai you'll end up lorr anybody knows any government facilities for vet service in ipoh/penang/kl??? i don't think i wanna continue paying obscene amounts to my private vet for basic health care like spaying, vaccination or deworming. most of the time he end up selling me things i don't need :P zippy 'rowena' kojak
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