thinking outside dog
Its finally getting warmer out here so I’ve been doing some research on heartworm to decide what steps I should take to prevent it if any. I figured I’d post some of the information I’ve found useful.
First off its important to asess the risk in your area. There’s a handy map I’ve found:
So, living in the west there is a low incidence of heartworm in general <1% of the population.
Also of great import,from a holistic standpoint, is the overall health of the dog as determined by age , species appropriate diet, and immunity. Scherzo is well off in these areas as she eats raw, is young, not recieving vaccines or on any heartworm or flea “preventatives”. She is at a slightly higher risk, however, because of the amount of time she spends outside.
Still, its important to remember,
“The importance of temperature: While the larvae are developing in the mosquito, development continues only when the temperature is above 64 degrees F. Further, the temperature MUST remain above 57 degrees Fahrenheit at all times, day and night during the entire mosquito cycle. If at any time during the development into the L3 stage, the temperature drops below 57 F, the development is aborted and must start over. Remember, it is only the L3 larvae which are capable of infesting your dog.”
We have only just begun to have consistent temperatures above 57 degrees here in Montana, so this is a good time to be looking into all this.
“As a precaution, I recommend that all dogs be tested twice a year for heartworm. For clients who insist on a more active form of prevention, I suggest doses of black walnut given two to three times a week, as I’ve actually reversed clinical heartworm with it…The chances of a microfilaria-infected mosquito biting your dog the first time are slim. Of it happening to the same dog twice? Very slim…Early in my career, I saw and treated hundreds of cases of heartworm disease, most with routine medication, yet witnessed only three deaths (the last was in 1979). By comparison, we’re seeing, cancer kill dogs on a daily basis. To my mind, the likelihood that toxicity from heartworm pills is contributing to the tremendous amount of immune suppression now occurring, especially in cases of liver disease and cancer, is far greater and more immediate than the threat of the disease they’re meant to prevent…”
-Dr Martin Goldstein, “The Nature Of Animal Healing”
So, I’m going to have Scherzo tested for microfilaria twice a year (its a simple blood test) and use a homemade bug spray when mosquitos are bad. Here’s a recipe for ”
“The Mother of all Homemade Natural Flea and Bug Repellants”:
Place approximately one cup of dried calendula (wild marigold) blossoms (available at most health food stores or herb shops) in a one quart glass container with lid; a canning jar would be ideal. Cover with naturally fermented raw apple cider vinegar. Be sure to add enough ACV that it covers the dried blossoms plus about an additional inch of liquid. Cover tightly and let stand undisturbed for two weeks. At the end of the two week period strain the liquid through several layers of cheesecloth. Rebottle the strained infusion and store in the refrigerator for future use. Don’t worry if there are small particles of the calendula blossoms in the liquid. When you are ready to use the infusion (when mosquito and tick season arrives) mix a small quantity of the infused ACV with ten parts of spring water in a spray bottle, and return the original container of the undiluted calendula-ACV infusion to the refrigerator for later use. This final dilution can then be sprayed directly onto you and your dogs, although I would recommend avoiding the eyes.
Leave a reply