Does Heartworm Treatment Hurt Puppies

Can you imagine anything cuter than a puppy? Well, maybe a kitten, but I guess that all depends on whom you ask. Nothing is as satisfying as raising an animal from infancy to adulthood, and having it be a part of your family its’ whole life. Taking care of it and protecting it becomes your responsibility, just as if you were its’ parent. Maintaining pet health becomes a major concern, as well as finding the best medicines to achieve this goal. Since heartworm is a common disease in dogs, as a canine owner, you would have to ask yourself, does heartworm treatment hurt puppies?

Granted, I am not a veterinarian, nor do I claim to be. However, the general consensus among vets is that a preventive heartworm treatment does not hurt puppies anymore than it would any older animal. Sure, puppies won’t appreciate getting poked with needles and vaccinated, no one does. But it is sometimes necessary, so accept it. And most pain from vaccinations and blood screens is very temporary. Most medicines that prevent heartworms are chewable, and available for every stage of a dogs’ life. Puppies as young as six weeks may begin these treatments with little to no pain whatsoever. 

The best thing to do is spend a little time and research the preventive medicines that are available. Find out which ones will provide the best protection for your pup. Inquire about which heartworm medicines also prevent against other diseases, like hookworm and roundworm. 

Request a recommendation on heartworm prevention from your vet. Ask which ones are proven to be most effective, and maybe even inquire about which one is your vets’ personal favorite. Your vet will probably be very happy to recommend a medication that will meet the specific needs of your puppy. You can do all of this when you take your young canine in for a heartworm test. Heartworms can be a fatal disease if not treated in time, so early detection will be beneficial to stopping it in time to insure a complete recovery.