Mosquito season is never an enjoyable time of the year. If you are a pet owner, mosquitoes pose more of a problem than just their itchy bites. Mosquitoes can carry heartworm, a parasitic worm that can infect your dog or cat. An infected mosquito that bites your pet can transfer the larvae to the animal’s tissues. The larvae will then travel to the host’s heart or lungs, grow into an adult, and cause a great deal of damage. The problems associated with heartworm do not stop at infection. Conventional methods of prevention and treatment have been known to cause long-term damage to your pet and are not very earth or animal friendly. Fortunately, because of this concern, there are many natural solutions to approaching heartworm infection that are safe for your pet and the environment.
BENEFITS for your pet: Because most conventional heartworm medications are not considered holistic, they only kill larvae that are already in the animals system. In order to keep your pet optimally healthy, it is important to address the issue before the worms have the chance to infect your pet. The conventional medications used also contain chemical pesticides. Although the chemicals are used in small amounts, they have been known to cause side effects such as weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, and convulsions. When used regularly, the harsh chemicals can put strain on your pets’ immune system, weaken their liver and kidneys, and make them more susceptible to other illness. A natural approach can aid in preventing your pet from getting infected in the first place. Although if they do happen to get infected, many of the natural treatments are good for heartworm treatment and prevention, as well as the overall health of your pet.
BENEFITS for the environment: As mentioned above, most of the common heartworm treatment medications contain chemical pesticides. Pesticides that are released into the environment can contaminate our air, soil, and groundwater.
Cost: Low! Compared to the cost of vet visits and medication, natural heartworm prevention and treatment comes with a very small price tag. Time and Effort: Moderate. There is more time and effort put into maintaining a natural heartworm prevention regime, but it is worth it. You will also hopefully save some time and effort with fewer trips to the vet.
Prevention
Taking steps to prevent your pet from getting infected in the first place is by far the best method for heartworm prevention.
- A healthy diet equals a healthy immune system! A healthy animal is less likely to become infected by internal parasites because: 1) mosquitoes are less likely to prey on healthy animals, and 2) a healthy animal will have a stronger defense system to kill off the larvae in their bloodstream. Provide a raw or organic diet for you pet. Avoid any foods with artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. To find some recipes on how to make your own natural pet food, check out this Greeniacs Guide.
- Make your own mosquito repellent! Because mosquitoes are the carriers of heartworm, keeping them off your pet is the best way to assure hey will not get infected. Mosquitoes do not like essential oils including lavender, tea tree, peppermint, or citrus oils. Combine about 4 drops of any of the oils into a cup of water and spray on your pets’ coat. If you want more tips or recipes, check out Greeniacs guides: “Make Your Own NonToxic Pesticides”.
- If you notice that your pet has been exposed to mosquitoes, or mosquito season is near, start adding some anti-parasitic herbs to their diet. Herbs such as Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), Clove Flower Buds (Eugenia caryophyllata), Garlic (Allium sativum), Spearmint Herb (Mentha spicata), Turmeric Root (Curcuma longa), Black Walnut (Juglans nigra), Wormwood (Artemisia annua), and Artemisia can be used regularly in small quantities to help fight off internal parasites.
- If you live in a high-risk area for heartworm, have your pet checked regularly through mosquito season. Prevention is always easier than treatment. Look for a veterinarian who practices integrative medicine or a holistic/homeopathic vet and they can help devise a natural prevention plan that will be safe for your pet.
Treatment
If the prevention methods did not work and your pet has become infected, there are still natural remedies for treatment. It is strongly advised to take your pet to a veterinarian because heartworm can be a fatal disease. Most vets should be familiar with natural treatments, or you could look for a vet that specializes in them. A natural treatment remedy, containing all of the following ingredients, is1:
- Artemisia Combination: Used as a monthly de-wormer. It combines elecampane root with two species of Artemisia, mugwort and wormwood, to provide an exceptionally powerful herbal formula.
- Black Walnut: Used to aid the metabolism and make the animal less desirable to pests. Black Walnut is used as an astringent because it is rich in tannin, a toning substance.
- HSII: Used weekly to keep the heart strong. HS II is a combination designed for support to the circulatory system, containing: hawthorn berries, capsicum and garlic. Hawthorn berries is used to strengthen and tone the heart, feed the adrenals, cleanse arteries, and has been known to balance blood pressure. Capsicum has long been used as a way to boost circulation and cleanse the body. Recent studies have shown garlic to be of benefit to the digestive, circulatory and immune systems.2
- Yucca Root: Used to treat the coughing and bloating that develops from heartworm infestations.
Again, it is always recommended to consult your veterinarian if you feel that your pet is at high risk for heartworm. And always remember, if you keep your pet healthy and away from mosquitoes in the first place, your heartworm prevention and treatment regime will be a lot easier!
