| This mosquito-transmitted disease can be fatal to your dog. The better
course is prevention. Getting rid of heartworms once a dog has become infected
takes powerful drugs and even hospitalization. Start with an annual test
to see if your dog is already carrying these deadly worms. This test involves
having a blood sample taken and analyzed. If the test is negative, your
veterinarian will recommend a preventive heartworm medication. This may be given
either once a month or daily. These medications keep heartworms from maturing.
Some veterinarians recommend giving your dog the medication year-round, but it
should definitely be given during the months when mosquitoes are active. -------------------------------------------------
// ------------------------------------------------ Reprinted with permission
by Ralston Purina Canada | 
