Though FDA-approved heartworm preventative medications are the only reliable means of eliminating heartworms in canines, several drug-free strategies can still assist with maintaining their health. However, these should not replace monthly preventive medication.
Heartworm development beyond L3 stage is highly dependent on temperature. Therefore, newer monthly preventatives are more effective than older daily medications in preventing their spread.
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Herbs
Supportive herbal herbs may help your dog as it expels heartworms from its body. A Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCVM) treatment plan would include Elecampane to alleviate Blood Stagnation and flush out toxins; Wormwood to expel intestinal parasites as well as kill Wolbachia organism; Milk Thistle strengthen liver function and flush toxins out.
Most pet parents are reluctant to give conventional “preventive” drugs due to potential side effects, such as loose stools, vomiting and diarrhea, lethargy, pruritis/tremors/weakness and breathlessness.
There are pre-made herbal formulas you can purchase that claim to prevent and treat heartworms. When searching online, be aware that many products won’t directly say they do this due to FDA restrictions; call the company instead; they tend to be more forthcoming over the phone. Some of these herbal remedies contain black walnut hull, an herb known for killing larvae – however be wary as its high tannin content can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs.
Homeopathics
Homeopathy is a holistic system of medicine utilizing small doses of natural substances to stimulate the body’s own healing mechanism and speed recovery. Homeopathy operates on the principle that “like cures like,” meaning something which causes symptoms in healthy animals may help treat an illness with similar symptoms.
Some holistic veterinarians do not advise heartworm prevention medications due to safety and effectiveness concerns; however, research suggests that dogs with strong immune systems are likely more protected against heartworm infestation.
Herbalists often utilize homeopathic remedies to quickly eliminate heartworm larvae that enter a pet’s bloodstream and settle in its lungs and heart, where they cause disease. These supplements also support healing processes within the body while minimizing toxicity from traditional oral medications like Ivermectin; some come in liquid form for easy administration while pellet forms provide more concentrated dosages.
Oils
There are various oils available to repel mosquitoes, and some can also improve circulation and heart function. Geranium, Neem and Tea Tree oils are among the more widely used options and can be mixed with water and applied directly onto skin or spray-on coat.
Herbal remedies have proven successful at eliminating heartworms even when present alongside Wolbachia bacteria.1
However, according to official guidelines from the American Heartworm Society, no natural or herbal therapies have been proven as safe and effective preventive or curative measures for heartworm disease.
I suggest consulting your veterinarian, especially if your pet is taking traditional preventives (Heartgard or Ivermectin). Your veterinarian may prescribe doxycycline to kill immature worms while also making sure Wolbachia doesn’t develop during treatment. Annual testing may be required because not all dogs and cats respond the same to prevention medication.
Supplements
Heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis is no laughing matter; it can be deadly and necessitates months of exercise restriction and costly veterinary care to treat. Heartworm has been called “the largest animal welfare crisis affecting owned pets”(7) due to barriers preventing accessing care (like cost, knowledge gaps and transportation limitations).
Conventional “preventative” drugs for dogs are monthly toxic poisons that aim to eradicate heartworm larvae from your dog’s blood stream in an attempt to keep adult worms at bay. Although approved by drug manufacturers and traditional organizations, such products don’t really help stop heartworm disease from manifesting itself any meaningful way.
Botanical medicines offer general cardiovascular support during heartworm treatment and recovery, not only killing offending worms but also clearing away obstacles to blood flow and relieving stagnation, thus speeding recovery from infestation and prolonging its absence in future years.
