{"id":347573,"date":"2025-12-17T01:29:43","date_gmt":"2025-12-17T01:29:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/uncategorized\/heartworm-prevention-treatment-in-houston\/"},"modified":"2025-12-17T01:29:43","modified_gmt":"2025-12-17T01:29:43","slug":"heartworm-prevention-treatment-in-houston","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=347573","title":{"rendered":"Heartworm Prevention & Treatment in Houston"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Houston, also known as the Bayou City, has our fair share of mosquitos. That makes heartworms a common issue in dogs here. <\/p>\n

According to data from the Companion Animal Parasite Council 22 percent of all heartworm cases in Texas are in Harris County<\/strong>. One in 27 dogs in Harris County will contract the disease. <\/p>\n

In this article, we\u2019ll review some basic information on heartworms, different prevention methods, and where to find low cost heartworm prevention and affordable heartworm treatment.<\/p>\n

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How are Heartworms Spread?<\/h2>\n

Adult female heartworms living in an infected animal produce microscopic baby worms called microfilaria<\/em> that circulate in the blood stream. <\/p>\n

When a mosquito bites an infected animal it picks up these microfilaria. The mosquito then becomes a carrier of the heartworm. The worms develop and mature into infective stage larvae<\/em> over the next 10 to 14 days.<\/p>\n

When the infected mosquito bites your dog, the infective larvae enter your pet\u2019s bloodstream. <\/p>\n

It takes approximately 6 months for the heartworms to grow and reach sexual maturity. Then they begin to reproduce inside your pet. <\/p>\n

Adult heartworms grow inside your dog, living in the major vessels in your dog\u2019s heart. Once mature, heartworms can live for 5 to 7 years and can grow up to a foot in length. <\/p>\n

As you can imagine, having worms in your heart is not a great way for your dog to live to old age.<\/strong><\/p>\n

That\u2019s why you MUST use heartworm prevention for your dog in Houston.<\/p>\n

\"heartworm\"heartworm<\/figure>\n

Ways to Protect Your Dog Against Heartworms<\/h2>\n

There are four basic categories of heartworm prevention:<\/p>\n

1. Ivermectin-Based Heartworm Prevention Pills<\/em><\/h4>\n

Ivermectin is the most common heartworm preventative. Common brands of ivermectin-based pills include HeartGuard Plus, Iverhart Plus, Advantage Multi and Tri-Heart. <\/p>\n

2. Non Ivermectin-Based Heartworm Prevention Pills<\/em><\/h4>\n

Certain herding breeds, including collies, Australian shepherds, border collies, shelties, Shetland sheepdogs and German shepherds, should not take ivermectin-based pills.<\/p>\n

Interceptor Plus is a non-ivermectin alternative heartworm preventative for these breeds. <\/p>\n

3. Topical Heartworm Prevention<\/em><\/h4>\n

Moxidectin or selamectin are the active ingredients in topical heartworm prevention. Brands include Advantage Multi, Advocate and Revolution. These medications also treat intestinal parasites such as hookworms, roundworms and whipworms. <\/p>\n

Topical heartworm preventatives are applied to the skin on the back of the neck and are absorbed into the body. They are given monthly to kill immature parasites.<\/p>\n

4. Injectible Heartworm Prevention<\/em><\/h4>\n

And now for my favorite, injectable heartworm prevention. Proheart 6 (2X annually) and Proheart 12 (1X annually) is a moxidectin extended-release\u00a0injectable that protects your dog from heartworms without the monthly maintenance.<\/p>\n

\"proheart\"proheart<\/figure>\n

Why I Switched to the Heartworm Shot<\/h2>\n

One of my dogs will eat anything if it involves a cheese slice. The other is suspicious of all treat offerings. And once she sees me going to the cabinet where I keep doggie meds, she makes a beeline for the doggie door. <\/p>\n

So when I found about about injectible heartworm prevention, I knew I had to try it. I\u2019ve been using Proheart 12 for Doug & Tammy since 2019 for 3 reason: <\/p>\n