If you have a pet dog, then you would probably know about the heartworm prevention medication, which is administered to dogs in order to keep them safe from heartworms (both larvae and adults). These medications usually contain toxic chemical insecticides that would get rid of the heartworms. However, the toxic substances in these medications would also have detrimental effects on the dog’s health, often weakening the immune system or causing organ damage. As a result, more and more dog owners are switching to herbal alternatives in order to get rid of the heartworms without harming their dogs in the process. If you are looking for an alternative as well, here are some excellent herbal substitutes you can opt for.
Artemisia Blend
Mugwort and Wormwood are two components of the Artemisia plant family that are often used as ingredients in natural, herbal heartworm prevention medications. These components contain parasitic remedies that help to get rid of roundworms and other internal parasites. Some of the other herbs that are used along with these plants include clove flower buds, ginger root, garlic, elecampane root, turmeric root, olive leaf and spearmint herb etc. When given once a month as a general de-wormer medication, these herbs can get rid of the heartworms effectively.
Black Walnut Extract
The green hulls present in black walnuts contain a substance called tannin which has anti-parasitic properties that can effectively cleanse the system and remove all traces of the heartworms and other harmful organisms affecting the body. Usually found in the liquid form, a few drops of black walnut extract can be regularly added to the water in the drinking bowl, or mixed with the food. In addition to boosting the body metabolism, it would keep mosquitoes and other heartworm carriers away from your dog.
Herbal Mosquito Repellent Spray
These DIY projects can help treat heartworms and mosquitoes who carry them, away from your dog’s body.
- Add a few drops of geranium oil (the pure variety) to ½ cup of water. Mix the ingredients nicely and pour the solution into a spray bottle. Shake it well and spray it on your dog’s fur before heading outdoors.
- Add 3-4 drops of tea tree oil and 3-4 drops of lavender oil to 1 cup of water and stir nicely. Store the resultant solution in a spray bottle and spray it on your dog’s fur before heading outdoors.
HSII
This is actually a combination of several herbs, including capsicum fruit, garlic bulbs and hawthorn berries. When consumed, the HS II combination would help strengthen your dog’s heart and blood circulatory system. Give the combination along with your dog’s food or water at least once a week in order to ensure that he/she remains healthy and free of heartworms.
Summary
If left untreated, heartworms can lead to several health-related ailments, reducing your dog’s strength immensely in the process. So consider these herbal medications when it comes to treating him/her for heartworms and their side effects.
