Heartworm Medicine & Neurological Disorders

Can heartworm medication's side effects be as dangerous as heartworms?

Heartworm is a serious parasitic disease affecting dogs and cats, but concerns over the side effects of preventative medication leave pet owners wondering how to protect their best friends.

Heartworm Disease

Heartworm disease leads to decreased physical activity.

Long, slender, filarial heartworms clog an animal's heart and are spread by mosquitoes. Symptoms are similar to heart disease and congestive heart failure.

Heartworm Medication

Heartworm medication has led to fears of neurological disorders.

Infection is prevented by anthelmintic (worm-killing) medications, usually given monthly. These drugs are different from those that treat active infection and should never be used on an infected pet. Toxins from and migration of dying adult worms can cause seizures and death.

Potential Side Effects

Some pets are at greater risk of side effects.

Some pets are naturally more sensitive or allergic to some drugs. Ataxia (loss of muscle control), seizures and convulsions can occur in these pets.

Dogs with Epilepsy

Pets with epilepsy might be at higher risk.

Dogs with epilepsy might be more sensitive. Preventatives might lower the seizure threshold, meaning epileptic episodes can occur more often.

Dogs with Autoimmune Diseases

Awareness of underlying conditions will help protect your pet.

Autoimmune diseases of the nervous system such as degenerative myelopathy, a disease in which the immune system attacks nerve sheaths, might cause greater sensitivity. Preventatives can aggravate disease symptoms.

Holistic Pet Care Concerns

Consider your pet's overall health when choosing preventative methods.

Holistic practitioners state that since heartworm preventatives are given monthly, toxic compounds build up in the body, leading to problems, and they recommend a healthy diet, mosquito repellents, keeping pets indoors and herbal deworming remedies instead.

References

• Rutgers Center for Vector Biology: Does Your Dog Have Heartworm?
• Vet Info for Dogs: Heartworm Medication Side Effects
• University of Florida Veterinary Neurology: Degenerative Myelopathy of German Shepherd Dogs

Resources

• American Heartworm Society
• The Dog Heartworm Guide
• Holistic Vet Center