What is Heartworm?

Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal condition caused by parasitic worms living the the arteries of the lungs and in the right side of the heart of dogs, cats, and other species of mammals, including wolves, foxes, ferrets, sea lions, horses, and humans. Heartworms are classified as nematodes (roundworms) and are but one of the many species of roundworms. The specific roundworm causing heartworm in dogs and cats is known as Dirofilaria imminitis.

Dogs or other animals harboring adult worms are the recognized reservoir of infection. Adult worms produce the offspring that circulate in the blood and are then transmitted to mosquitoes once they bite the infected animal. These offspring (microfilariae) undergo development to an infective larval stage within 14 days in the mosquito, and can then be transmitted to another host (such as a cat) or back to another dog, when the infected mosquito bites again. The infective heartworm larvae travel through a tubular organ within the mosquito's head and are injected into the skin of a new host animal through the mosquito bite wound. In the dog, the larvae progress in their development to an adult form of the worm, and live in the heart and pulmonary vessels, where they continue the life cycle and cause extensive injury. In the cat, the larvae molt as well, but fewer worms survive to adulthood. While dogs suffer severe heart and lung damage from heartworm infection, cats typically exhibit minimal changes in the heart. The cat's primary response to the presence of heartworms occurs in the lungs.

Within the dog, the time frame between initial infection and growth to adult worms is approximately six to seven months, eventually arriving in the heart and pulmonary vessels where they begin to produce new offspring.

In cats, it takes seven to eight months before adult worms arrive in the heart and pulmonary vessels. In most cases the life cycle of the heartworm ends here since microfilaria are produced in less than 20% of cats.

Some worms may get up to 3 feet long. Heavy infestation of heartworms will cause swelling in the lungs, pulmonary arteries, kidney and heart, which will eventually cause the animal to die. Heartworm infestation can also cause anemia and liver damage.

What are the symptoms of Heartworm?

Symptoms of heartworm may include loss of appetite, lethargy, exercise intolerance, weight loss, fever, dyspnea (difficult, labored breathing, shortness of breath), coughing, weakness, dull dry coat, and hemorrhage.

MUST READ: Killing heartworms can be dangerous for your animal. Dead worms can clog small blood vessels causing organs to fail making it imperative that your animal be confined to a small space to try and prevent this from happening. Older, sick, or pregnant animals may not be able to tolerate traditional veterinary treatment and some dogs are simply sent home to die without care, as the traditional heartworm medications would kill the dog. This is why HeartWorm Free was created. HeartWorm Free's slow method of treatment has its benefits, which allows the dog to recover slowly. HeartWorm Free works well for all dogs, young, elderly, and can even be used for pregnant dogs. Suggested dose for pregnant dogs is one-half the recommended dose while the female is pregnant and then the full dose can be resumed as soon as she has her puppies. HeartWorm Free does NOT require your dog to be confined.

Keep in mind you are working with heartworms. The heart is a vital organ. Anytime you work with the heart you take a risk. The heartworms can dislodge and go anywhere in the system. The heart can become weakened from the heartworms. Heartworms can get up to 3 feet long. If a dog is harboring a 3-foot long heartworm the time to rid the body of heartworms can be 36 weeks or longer. Depending on the severity of the heartworm infestation (and condition of the heart) will determine the results with the HeartWorm Free treatment. Amber Tech does NOT guarantee the health of your dog, due to conditions out of Amber Tech's control.

During HeartWorm Free Treatment: The kidneys will suffer much stress as they work hard to pull the worms through the system. Amber Tech recommends putting your dog on Kidney Rejuvenator in addition to the HeartWorm Free to help eliminate and dissolve worms in the blood and keep the kidneys healthy. It is recommended to use the throughout the entire treatment for best results.

Completing the HWF Treatment: Once your pet has completed the HWF - continue to give the HWF but give once a day at one-half the dose for the next 3 to 4 months. For example, IF your dog's regular HWF dose is 2.4 mil twice/day, he or should would just get 1.2 mil once daily. Do NOT use a traditional heartworm preventative during this time. A full body detox using Amber Tech's Internal Gold Detox Kit can be given to help the body eliminate the dead worms.

After the heartworms expire, they can stay in the system for a period of time. It is up to the body to dissolve the heartworms and process them through the kidneys and out the urine. If you had your dog tested with dead heartworms in the system, the test will still show a positive result.

HeartWorm Free Recommended Use:

Shake well before use. Select proper dosage of HeartWorm Free from the chart above. Give orally twice a day according to the weight of the dog for 16 to 36 weeks. Depending on the severity of the infestation (read entire pamphlet that comes with the HWF). HeartWorm Free is best absorbed in the mouth, so it is recommended to dose directly into the mouth and not be given in food.

Do NOT exceed recommended dose!   Monitor weight, as improved health can cause weight gain.   Do NOT use in conjunction with a heartworm preventative, as this will make your dog take longer to test heartworm negative.   NO preventative is needed while your dog is on the HWF.    Do NOT use Life Cell Support (in the Internal Gold Detox Kit) until AFTER HeartWorm Free treatment is completed.

Kidney Rejuvenator can be used during the entire HWF treatment to keep the kidneys free and clear (recommended most if your dog is exhibiting symptoms).

After treatment is complete put your dog on a low dose of HWF (half the dose once a day - For example, IF your dog's regular HWF dose is 1 mil twice/day, he or should would just get .5 mil once daily. ) for 3 to 4 months.

PLEASE READ:   Often, dogs infested with heartworm lose weight, as the heartworm infestation makes them less hungry and active. Most dogs gain weight while using HeartWorm Free, as the heartworms are killed and the dog becomes more active, their appetite returns. It is EXTREMELY important to make certain your dog is getting the proper HWF dose, based on their weight. We recommend weighing dogs that are close to the top of their dosage weight range at least once/week and once they reach the next weight level dosage, start them on that proper dosage immediately. Failure to do this can result in a longer treatment time. So, please, weigh your dog regularly to make sure he or she is getting the proper dose of HWF.

HWF is safe to give to pregnant dogs at one-half (1/2) the normal dose while pregnant and then giving the full dose once her puppies are born. This will help prevent her infestation from getting worse while pregnant. Depending on her level of infestation while pregnant, she may need to be treated a little longer than the 4 month cycle, since she would be on 1/2 the normal dose while pregnant.