Heartworms are Spread by Mosquitoes. Heartworm Meds are Spread by Fear.

It’s getting warmer outside — time for sellers of heartworm medications
to start scaring you to death.Television and print ads, which used to
push meds only during warm summer months, now urge you to keep your dog
on medication year round. The question is: why the change?

Drs. David Knight and James Lok of the University of Pennsylvania School
of Veterinary Medicine, addressing recommendations for year round meds,
warned: “The practice of some veterinarians to continuously prescribe
monthly chemoprophylaxis exaggerates the actual risk of heartworm
transmission in most parts of the country and unnecessarily increases
the cost of protection to their clients.�

So, is the change to year round meds all about money? Or is there more
to this story?

Heartworm “prevention� is a major health decision for pet parents and
multi-billion dollar Big Business for drug companies, veterinarians,
testing laboratories and on-line sellers of medication. When health
intersects money, there’s a lot of room for conflict of interest. Only
by understanding the business aspects and the truth about heartworm
transmission can you make an informed decision about if, how and when to
protect your dog with commercial products.

While everyone agrees that heartworm infestations can be
life-threatening, infestation is far from inevitable nor is it the
immutable death sentence advertisers would have you believe. (Otherwise,
all dogs and cats not on meds would die of infestation. But they don’t.)

Every holistic vet I’ve consulted had concerns about the long-term
safety of heartworm medications. Well-known vet, author and columnist
Martin Goldstein wrote in his wonderful book The Nature of Animal
Healing that he sees heartworms as less epidemic than the
“disease-causing toxicity� of heartworm medicine.

Dr. Jeff Levy, vet and homeopath, concluded “that it was not the
heartworms that caused disease, but the other factors that damaged the
dogs’ health to the point that they could no longer compensate for an
otherwise tolerable parasite load.� Those factors include, “… being
vaccinated yearly, eating commercial dog food, and getting suppressive
drug treatment for other symptoms….�

Heartworm meds do not, by the way, prevent heartworms. They are poisons
that kill heartworm larvae (called microfilariae) contracted during the
previous 30-45 days (and maybe longer due to what is call the Reach Back
Effect).

The heartworm industry authority, The American Heartworm Society (and
their cat heartworm site) offers a wealth of information. Their website
is a public service but also a marketing tool aimed at buyers and
resellers of heartworm meds. Sponsors of this website are a Who’s Who of
drug companies. Fort Dodge Animal Health (Wyeth), Merial and Pfizer are
“Platinum Sponsors.� Bayer merits Silver. Novartis, Schering-Plough,
Virbac and Eli Lilly get Bronze. Most of these companies have sales reps
that regularly call on vets and show them how to sell you heartworm
meds. With any purchase of any drug, we recommend you ask for
information regarding possible adverse effects, the necessity for taking
this drug and available alternatives.

How Heartworms Infect Dogs: It’s Not Easy!

Well, now that we’ve looked behind the scenes of the heartworm industry,
let’s take a look at how the heartworms themselves (called Dirofilaria
immitis) do business. Seven steps must be completed to give your dog a
dangerous heartworm infestation:

Step 1: To infect your dog, you need mosquitoes (so you need warm
temperatures and standing water). More specifically, you need a hungry
female mosquito of an appropriate species. Female mosquitoes act as
airborne incubators for premature baby heartworms (called
microfilariae). Without the proper mosquito, dogs can’t get heartworms.
Period.

That means dogs can’t “catch� heartworms from other dogs or mammals or
from dog park lawns. Puppies can’t “catch� heartworms from their mothers
and moms can’t pass heartworm immunity to pups.

Step 2: Our hungry mosquito needs access to a dog already infected with
sexually mature male and female heartworms that have produced babies.

Step 3: The heartworm babies must be at the L1 stage of development when
the mosquito bites the dog and withdraws blood.

Step 4: Ten to fourteen days later — if the temperature is right –the
microfilariae mature inside the mosquito to the infective L3 stage then
migrate to the mosquito’s mouth. (Yum!)

Step 5: Madame mosquito transmits the L3’s to your dog’s skin with a
bite. Then, if all conditions are right, the L3’s develop in the skin
for three to four months (to the L5 stage) before making their way into
your dog’s blood. But your dog still isn’t doomed.

Step 6: Only if the dog’s immune system doesn’t rid the dog of these
worms do the heartworms develop to adulthood.

Step 7: It takes approximately six months for the surviving larvae to
achieve maturity. At this point, the adult heartworms may produce babies
if there are both males and females, but the kiddies will die unless a
mosquito carrying L3’s intervenes. Otherwise, the adults will live
several years then die.

In summation, a particular species of mosquito must bite a dog infected
with circulating L1 heartworm babies, must carry the babies to stage L3
and then must bite your dog . The adult worms and babies will eventually
die off in the dog unless your dog is bitten again! Oh, and one more thing.

Heartworms Development Requires Sustained Day & Night Weather Above 57ËšF

In Step 4 above I wrote that heartworm larvae develop “if the
temperature is right.�

The University of Pennsylvania vet school (in a study funded by Merial)
found: “Development in the mosquito is temperature dependent, requiring
approximately two weeks of temperature at or above 27C (80F). Below a
threshold temperature of 14C (57F), development cannot occur, and the
cycle will be halted. As a result, transmission is limited to warm
months, and duration of the transmission season varies geographically.�

Knight and Lok agree: “In regions where average daily temperatures
remain at or below about 62ËšF (17Ëš C) from late fall to early spring,
insufficient heat accumulates to allow maturation of infective larvae in
the intermediate host [the mosquito], precluding transmission of the
parasite.�

The Washington State University vet school reports that laboratory
studies show that maturation of the worms requires “the equivalent of a
steady 24-hour daily temperature in excess of 64°F (18°C) for
approximately one month.� In other words, it has to be warm day AND
night or development is retarded even if the average temperature is
sufficiently warm. They add, that at 80° F, “10 to 14 days are required
for development of microfilariae to the infective stage.�

Jerold Theis, DVM, PhD, says, “If the mean monthly temperature is only a
few degrees above 14 degrees centigrade [57 degrees F] it can take so
many days for infective larvae to develop that the likelihood of the
female mosquito living that long is remote.�

I have never found this temperature-dependent information on a website
promoting “preventatives,� but only in scholarly works not easily
accessed by the public. Neither is it on the Heartworm Society canine
heartworm page or in the Merck/Merial Veterinary Manual site or Merial’s
heartworm video — even though Merial funded the UPenn study.

The Society does report, “Factors affecting the level of risk of
heartworm infection include the climate (temperature, humidity), the
species of mosquitoes in the area, presence of mosquito breeding areas
and presence of animal reservoirs (such as infected dogs or coyotes).�
But that’s it. No mention of temperature.

http://www.dogs4dogs.com/blog/2009/0...cation-safety/

Heartworms
http://www.homeovet.net/content/lifestyle/section4.html


This parasite is a source of great anxiety among dog caretakers. (I
don't believe that one "owns" a dog.) Thanks in large part to the scare
tactics of many veterinarians in promoting preventive drugs, many people
believe that contracting heartworms is the equivalent of a death
sentence for their dogs. This is not true.

I (Dr Levy) practiced for seven years in the Santa Cruz,
California area, and treated many dogs with heartworms. The only dogs
that developed symptoms of heart failure were those that were being
vaccinated yearly, eating commercial dog food, and getting suppressive
drug treatment for other symptoms, such as skin problems. My treatment,
at that time, consisted of switching to a natural (that is, homemade)
diet, stopping drug treatment whenever possible, and eliminating any
chemical exposure, such as flea and tick poisons. I would usually
prescribe hawthorn tincture as well. None of these dogs ever developed
any symptoms of heart failure.

I concluded from this that it was not the heartworms that caused
disease, but the other factors that damaged the dogs' health to the
point that they could no longer compensate for an otherwise tolerable
parasite load. It is not really that different from the common
intestinal roundworms, in that most dogs do not show any symptoms. Only
a dog whose health is compromised is unable to tolerate a few worms.
Furthermore, a truly healthy dog would not be susceptible to either type
of worm in the first place.

It seems to me that the real problem is that allopathic attitudes
have instilled in many of us a fear of disease, fear of pathogens and
parasites, fear of rabies, as if these are evil and malicious entities
just waiting to lay waste to a naive and unprotected public.

Disease is not caused by viruses or by bacteria or by
heartworm-bearing mosquitoes. Disease comes from within, and one aspect
of disease can be the susceptibility to various pathogens. So the best
thing to do is to address those susceptibilities on the deepest possible
level, so that the pathogens will no longer be a threat. Most
importantly, don't buy into the fear.

That having been said, there are practical considerations of risk
versus benefit in considering heartworm prevention. The risk of a dog
contracting heartworms is directly related to geographic location. In
heavily infested areas the risk is higher, and the prospect of using a
preventive drug more justifiable. Whatever you choose to do, a yearly
blood test for heartworm microfilaria is important.

There are basically three choices with regard to heartworm
prevention: drugs, nosodes, or nothing.

There are currently a variety of heartworm preventive drugs, most
of which are given monthly. I don't like any of them due to their
toxicity, the frequency of side effects, and their tendency to antidote
homeopathic remedies. Incidentally, the once-a-month preventives should
be given only every 6 weeks.

The next option is the heartworm nosode. It has the advantage of
at least not being a toxic drug. It has been in use it for over 10 years
now, and I am reasonably confident that it is effective. It is certainly
very safe. The biggest problem with the nosode is integrating it with
homeopathic treatment. But at least it's less of a problem than with the
drugs.

The last option, and in my opinion the best, is to do nothing.
That is to say, do nothing to specifically prevent heartworm, but rather
to minimize the chances of infestation by helping your dog to be
healthier, and thereby less susceptible. This means avoiding those
things that are detrimental to health, feeding a high quality homemade
diet, regular exercise, a healthy emotional environment, and, most of
all, constitutional homeopathic treatment. Of course, this will not
guarantee that your dog will not get heartworms, but, under these
conditions, even the worst-case scenario isn't so terrible. If your dog
were to get heartworms, s/he shouldn't develop any symptoms as a result.

For what it's worth, I never gave my dog any type of heartworm
preventive, even when we lived in the Santa Cruz area where heartworms
were very prevalent. I tested him yearly, and he never had a problem.

chardonnay9 wrote:

While everyone agrees that heartworm infestations can be
life-threatening, infestation is far from inevitable nor is it the
immutable death sentence advertisers would have you believe.

Actually, once it takes hold in cats, it IS a
death sentence. It can't be treated in cats.
They die from heartworms. Period.


Dr. Jeff Levy, vet and homeopath, concluded “that it was not the
heartworms that caused disease, but the other factors that damaged the
dogs’ health to the point that they could no longer compensate for an
otherwise tolerable parasite load.� Those factors include, “… being
vaccinated yearly, eating commercial dog food, and getting suppressive
drug treatment for other symptoms….�

Funny. He just perpetrated what I consider
fraud on yet another unsuspecting phone
customer whose cat was dying. And he's done
that before.

Now THAT'S a guy who refuses to back up or
provide cites or proof for much of what he
claims. And our rescue group used to use him
as one of our primary vets!

Not coincidentally, the death rates of young
kittens when we used him was a LOT higher
than it is now. I don't know too many people
that have gone to him that he's successfully
treated for anything that couldn't
successfully treated at home.

But it sure sounds good to quote a self
proclaimed guru whose entore claim to fame
is....well, whatever he says it is. On the
internet, no one knows the truth unless you
elect to publish it...and (not surprisingly)
he never does elect to publish it.


Step 1: To infect your dog, you need mosquitoes (so you need warm
temperatures and standing water). More specifically, you need a hungry
female mosquito of an appropriate species. Female mosquitoes act as
airborne incubators for premature baby heartworms (called
microfilariae). Without the proper mosquito, dogs can’t get heartworms.
Period.

This is an incredibly easy set of
circumstances to come across.

That means dogs can’t “catch� heartworms from other dogs or mammals or
from dog park lawns. Puppies can’t “catch� heartworms from their mothers
and moms can’t pass heartworm immunity to pups.

They don't have to. They catch it easily
enough hanging out in their own backyard with
no exposure to any other animal at all.

Step 2: Our hungry mosquito needs access to a dog already infected with
sexually mature male and female heartworms that have produced babies.

Since tep one is incredibly easy, this one is
pretty much a given.

Step 3: The heartworm babies must be at the L1 stage of development when
the mosquito bites the dog and withdraws blood.

Again, the way mosquitos bite in some areas,
this isn't all that hard a context to come
across.

Step 4: Ten to fourteen days later — if the temperature is right –the
microfilariae mature inside the mosquito to the infective L3 stage then
migrate to the mosquito’s mouth. (Yum!)

Easy.

Step 5: Madame mosquito transmits the L3’s to your dog’s skin with a
bite. Then, if all conditions are right,

As in, as long as the dog is, you
know....alive and such.

the L3’s develop in the skin
for three to four months (to the L5 stage) before making their way into
your dog’s blood. But your dog still isn’t doomed.

Step 6: Only if the dog’s immune system doesn’t rid the dog of these
worms do the heartworms develop to adulthood.

I'd say the chances of a perfectly
functioning immune system being bombarded
with these microfilarie eventually succumbing
is pretty high. Don;t forget, their immune
systems might be bury fighting off rabies
that day....or parvo....or worms.

You're expectation that even a perfectly
functioning immune system to fight off a
major and near constant onslaught from
various virii and parasites is unrealistic.
And, once again, could prove fatal.

Step 7: It takes approximately six months for the surviving larvae to
achieve maturity. At this point, the adult heartworms may produce babies
if there are both males and females, but the kiddies will die unless a
mosquito carrying L3’s intervenes. Otherwise, the adults will live
several years then die.

Given the sheer volume of insect bites, and
given how long they last internally, this is
NOT as big a longshot as the author would
like you to think. It's actually pretty
darned likely.

And, by the way, heartworm infestation in
cats has been on the *rise* for the last few
years. In many states where they never even
considered HW prevention for cats, they are
now seeing a marked increase in cats dying
from it. And once a cat gets heartworm, its
fatal. They don't survive the treatment.

In summation, a particular species of mosquito must bite a dog infected
with circulating L1 heartworm babies,

An extremely likely occurence, given the
sheer numbers involved.

must carry the babies to stage L3
and then must bite your dog .

ibid.

The adult worms and babies will eventually
die off in the dog unless your dog is bitten again!


Yeah, cuz most dogs are only ever bitten by
one ,osquito in their lifetime (eyeroll)

Oh, and one more
thing.

Heartworms Development Requires Sustained Day & Night Weather Above 57ËšF

Uh, yeah....so? That describes over half the
planet.

chardonnay9 wrote:
Heartworms
http://www.homeovet.net/content/lifestyle/section4.html


This parasite is a source of great anxiety among dog caretakers. (I
don't believe that one "owns" a dog.) Thanks in large part to the scare
tactics of many veterinarians in promoting preventive drugs, many people
believe that contracting heartworms is the equivalent of a death
sentence for their dogs. This is not true.

I (Dr Levy) practiced for seven years

He would be doing the world a lot more good
if he'd left his career to those seven years,
IMO.

Charlatan and a fraud, IMO.

And, no friend to animals.

I can't even describe how bad a vet I think
this man is.

And I know plenty of his former patients that
also feel that way.

No one in my area will even refer him clients
anymore.

Yuck.

Tara Green wrote:
chardonnay9 wrote:
Heartworms
http://www.homeovet.net/content/lifestyle/section4.html


This parasite is a source of great anxiety among dog caretakers. (I
don't believe that one "owns" a dog.) Thanks in large part to the
scare tactics of many veterinarians in promoting preventive drugs,
many people believe that contracting heartworms is the equivalent of a
death sentence for their dogs. This is not true.

I (Dr Levy) practiced for seven years

He would be doing the world a lot more good if he'd left his career to
those seven years, IMO.

Charlatan and a fraud, IMO.

And, no friend to animals.

I can't even describe how bad a vet I think this man is.

And I know plenty of his former patients that also feel that way.

No one in my area will even refer him clients anymore.

Yuck.


Which means nothing unless you can give solid reasons why you feel he's
a bad vet. Once again, you'd rather flame than actually post relevant
information. How sad.

Tara Green wrote:
chardonnay9 wrote:

While everyone agrees that heartworm infestations can be
life-threatening, infestation is far from inevitable nor is it the
immutable death sentence advertisers would have you believe.

Actually, once it takes hold in cats, it IS a death sentence. It can't
be treated in cats. They die from heartworms. Period.

Now this reply is somewhat better. At least you attempt to give reasons
for your opinions which you usually do not do. Very good! I don't agree
with much of your reply but I will get to that when I have more time.



Dr. Jeff Levy, vet and homeopath, concluded “that it was not the
heartworms that caused disease, but the other factors that damaged the
dogs’ health to the point that they could no longer compensate for an
otherwise tolerable parasite load.� Those factors include, “… being
vaccinated yearly, eating commercial dog food, and getting suppressive
drug treatment for other symptoms….�

Funny. He just perpetrated what I consider fraud on yet another
unsuspecting phone customer whose cat was dying. And he's done that before.

Hearsay. And even if he's all you say, much of the article is important
to know. I am certainly not taking your word for it. LOL!


Now THAT'S a guy who refuses to back up or provide cites or proof for
much of what he claims. And our rescue group used to use him as one of
our primary vets!

Not coincidentally, the death rates of young kittens when we used him
was a LOT higher than it is now. I don't know too many people that have
gone to him that he's successfully treated for anything that couldn't
successfully treated at home.

But it sure sounds good to quote a self proclaimed guru whose entore
claim to fame is....well, whatever he says it is. On the internet, no
one knows the truth unless you elect to publish it...and (not
surprisingly) he never does elect to publish it.


Step 1: To infect your dog, you need mosquitoes (so you need warm
temperatures and standing water). More specifically, you need a hungry
female mosquito of an appropriate species. Female mosquitoes act as
airborne incubators for premature baby heartworms (called
microfilariae). Without the proper mosquito, dogs can’t get
heartworms. Period.

This is an incredibly easy set of circumstances to come across.

That means dogs can’t “catch� heartworms from other dogs or mammals or
from dog park lawns. Puppies can’t “catch� heartworms from their
mothers and moms can’t pass heartworm immunity to pups.

They don't have to. They catch it easily enough hanging out in their own
backyard with no exposure to any other animal at all.

Step 2: Our hungry mosquito needs access to a dog already infected
with sexually mature male and female heartworms that have produced
babies.

Since tep one is incredibly easy, this one is pretty much a given.

Step 3: The heartworm babies must be at the L1 stage of development
when the mosquito bites the dog and withdraws blood.

Again, the way mosquitos bite in some areas, this isn't all that hard a
context to come across.

Step 4: Ten to fourteen days later — if the temperature is right –the
microfilariae mature inside the mosquito to the infective L3 stage
then migrate to the mosquito’s mouth. (Yum!)

Easy.

Step 5: Madame mosquito transmits the L3’s to your dog’s skin with a
bite. Then, if all conditions are right,

As in, as long as the dog is, you know....alive and such.

the L3’s develop in the skin for three to four months (to the L5
stage) before making their way into your dog’s blood. But your dog
still isn’t doomed.

Step 6: Only if the dog’s immune system doesn’t rid the dog of these
worms do the heartworms develop to adulthood.

I'd say the chances of a perfectly functioning immune system being
bombarded with these microfilarie eventually succumbing is pretty high.
Don;t forget, their immune systems might be bury fighting off rabies
that day....or parvo....or worms.

You're expectation that even a perfectly functioning immune system to
fight off a major and near constant onslaught from various virii and
parasites is unrealistic. And, once again, could prove fatal.

Step 7: It takes approximately six months for the surviving larvae
to achieve maturity. At this point, the adult heartworms may produce
babies if there are both males and females, but the kiddies will die
unless a mosquito carrying L3’s intervenes. Otherwise, the adults
will live several years then die.

Given the sheer volume of insect bites, and given how long they last
internally, this is NOT as big a longshot as the author would like you
to think. It's actually pretty darned likely.

And, by the way, heartworm infestation in cats has been on the *rise*
for the last few years. In many states where they never even considered
HW prevention for cats, they are now seeing a marked increase in cats
dying from it. And once a cat gets heartworm, its fatal. They don't
survive the treatment.

In summation, a particular species of mosquito must bite a dog
infected with circulating L1 heartworm babies,

An extremely likely occurence, given the sheer numbers involved.

must carry the babies to stage L3 and then must bite your dog .

ibid.

The adult worms and babies will eventually die off in the dog unless
your dog is bitten again!


Yeah, cuz most dogs are only ever bitten by one ,osquito in their
lifetime (eyeroll)

Oh, and one more thing.

Heartworms Development Requires Sustained Day & Night Weather Above 57ËšF

Uh, yeah....so? That describes over half the planet.

How Heartworms Infect Dogs: It’s Not Easy!

Step 1: To infect your dog, you need mosquitoes ....

This is such a *huge* logical fallacy, I have to comment on it. Any process,
no matter how simple, can be sub divided in to almost an infinite number of
'steps'. Each of which might seem unlikely.

All you really need for your dog to be infested with heartworm is the
presence of the carrier population of mosquitoes, and the heartworm larvae.
The rest will take care of itself given enough time and exposure. (in fact,
you could likely even back it up one level and say 'all you need is the
right climate', as eventually the mosquitos will move in and take their
parasites with them)

Remember, we aren't talking about 1 heartworm infested mosquito, we're
talking about millions, upon millions of them, biting millions, upon
millions of dogs.

If the climate isn't right for the mosquito, yes, the whole system is
'broken' and you won't get heartworm, and there is 0 need to test for or
prevent heartworm.

Dale

Dale Atkin wrote:

How Heartworms Infect Dogs: It’s Not Easy!

Step 1: To infect your dog, you need mosquitoes ....

This is such a *huge* logical fallacy, I have to comment on it. Any
process, no matter how simple, can be sub divided in to almost an
infinite number of 'steps'. Each of which might seem unlikely.

All you really need for your dog to be infested with heartworm is the
presence of the carrier population of mosquitoes, and the heartworm
larvae. The rest will take care of itself given enough time and
exposure.

Not necessarily. The process is definitely over simplified by most
veterinarians. The actual steps needed to begin an infestation are many
and can be sidetracked by many factors.

(in fact, you could likely even back it up one level and say
'all you need is the right climate', as eventually the mosquitos will
move in and take their parasites with them)

Remember, we aren't talking about 1 heartworm infested mosquito, we're
talking about millions, upon millions of them, biting millions, upon
millions of dogs.

If the climate isn't right for the mosquito, yes, the whole system is
'broken' and you won't get heartworm, and there is 0 need to test for or
prevent heartworm.

Dale

How do you explain dogs in tropical or semitropical climates that aren't
on "preventatives" and yet don't get heartworm infestations?
(just curious)

On Sat, 13 Jun 2009 21:45:58 -0400, chardonnay9
wrote:

Dale Atkin wrote:

How Heartworms Infect Dogs: It’s Not Easy!

Step 1: To infect your dog, you need mosquitoes ....

This is such a *huge* logical fallacy, I have to comment on it. Any
process, no matter how simple, can be sub divided in to almost an
infinite number of 'steps'. Each of which might seem unlikely.

All you really need for your dog to be infested with heartworm is the
presence of the carrier population of mosquitoes, and the heartworm
larvae. The rest will take care of itself given enough time and
exposure.

Not necessarily. The process is definitely over simplified by most
veterinarians. The actual steps needed to begin an infestation are many
and can be sidetracked by many factors.

(in fact, you could likely even back it up one level and say
'all you need is the right climate', as eventually the mosquitos will
move in and take their parasites with them)

Remember, we aren't talking about 1 heartworm infested mosquito, we're
talking about millions, upon millions of them, biting millions, upon
millions of dogs.

If the climate isn't right for the mosquito, yes, the whole system is
'broken' and you won't get heartworm, and there is 0 need to test for or
prevent heartworm.

Dale

How do you explain dogs in tropical or semitropical climates that aren't
on "preventatives" and yet don't get heartworm infestations?
(just curious)

You mentioned the other day that 30% of smokers get lung cancer. I
think the number is closer to 20%, but whatever the number is, it's
enough to keep smart people from smoking. Why? Because no one knows if
she's going to be one of the 30% who will, or one of the 70% who
won't. A smart person probably wouldn't get on an airplane if she knew
it had a 30% chance of crashing, would she? No, not all dogs who don't
take heartworm medication will get heartworms (depending on the dog's
overall health, the mosquito vectors in the area, climate, rainfall,
time spent outdoors, activities, time of day, etc.) but a certain
percentage of them will. A percentage which can run from as low as a
few percent to as high as 40%. Is heartworm preventative 100%
effective? No, but it's pretty close, if the protocol is followed
properly. So the reason that people don't smoke is very similar to the
reason that people treat their dogs. It's the smart thing to do.

wrote:
On Sat, 13 Jun 2009 21:45:58 -0400, chardonnay9
wrote:

Dale Atkin wrote:
How Heartworms Infect Dogs: It’s Not Easy!

Step 1: To infect your dog, you need mosquitoes ....
This is such a *huge* logical fallacy, I have to comment on it. Any
process, no matter how simple, can be sub divided in to almost an
infinite number of 'steps'. Each of which might seem unlikely.

All you really need for your dog to be infested with heartworm is the
presence of the carrier population of mosquitoes, and the heartworm
larvae. The rest will take care of itself given enough time and
exposure.
Not necessarily. The process is definitely over simplified by most
veterinarians. The actual steps needed to begin an infestation are many
and can be sidetracked by many factors.

(in fact, you could likely even back it up one level and say
'all you need is the right climate', as eventually the mosquitos will
move in and take their parasites with them)

Remember, we aren't talking about 1 heartworm infested mosquito, we're
talking about millions, upon millions of them, biting millions, upon
millions of dogs.

If the climate isn't right for the mosquito, yes, the whole system is
'broken' and you won't get heartworm, and there is 0 need to test for or
prevent heartworm.

Dale
How do you explain dogs in tropical or semitropical climates that aren't
on "preventatives" and yet don't get heartworm infestations?
(just curious)

You mentioned the other day that 30% of smokers get lung cancer. I
think the number is closer to 20%, but whatever the number is, it's
enough to keep smart people from smoking. Why? Because no one knows if
she's going to be one of the 30% who will, or one of the 70% who
won't. A smart person probably wouldn't get on an airplane if she knew
it had a 30% chance of crashing, would she? No, not all dogs who don't
take heartworm medication will get heartworms (depending on the dog's
overall health, the mosquito vectors in the area, climate, rainfall,
time spent outdoors, activities, time of day, etc.) but a certain
percentage of them will. A percentage which can run from as low as a
few percent to as high as 40%. Is heartworm preventative 100%
effective? No, but it's pretty close, if the protocol is followed
properly. So the reason that people don't smoke is very similar to the
reason that people treat their dogs. It's the smart thing to do.

I used to think that too till I learned better. Those "preventatives"
are pesticides and can cause even more harm. Pesticides cause cancer and
so can vaccines. The cancer rate for our pets and ourselves is out of
control.

The truly smart thing to do is increase their immune systems so they can
fight off heartworms and other things on their own. Kibble fed dogs
just cannot do that as well as rawfed dogs can. The decrease in vet
bills once the switch to raw is made is very common. Homeopathy can help
with that as well.