Your Dog’s Defense Against Heartworm with Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Canine Advanced Plus Health Formula

Heartworm prevention goes beyond just using medications—supporting your dog’s overall health is key to helping them fight off parasites naturally. Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Canine Advanced Plus Health Formula is specifically designed to boost your dog’s immune system and enhance their ability to resist infections like heartworm. Packed with essential fatty acids, probiotics, antioxidants, and other vital nutrients, this supplement helps strengthen your dog’s defenses while supporting their heart and overall wellness. Give your dog the natural protection they deserve with Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Canine Advanced Plus Health Formula.

Heartworm Disease in Dogs: 2025 Update

Heartworm disease is a serious concern for dog owners worldwide. But are there natural ways to prevent or treat it at home? In this 2025 update, I’ll dive into the details of heartworm disease, including its lifecycle, the regions most affected, and holistic options for prevention and treatment.

What Is Heartworm Disease?

Heartworm is a parasitic infection that affects the heart and arteries around the heart. The life cycle of heartworms begins when a mosquito bites an infected dog and ingests heartworm larvae. These larvae then develop in the mosquito into their infective stage. When this mosquito bites a healthy dog, the larvae are transmitted. If allowed to mature, they develop into adult heartworms that can affect your dog’s heart and lungs. The adult heartworms then produce microfilariae, and the cycle repeats itself.

Where Is Heartworm Found?

Heartworm disease is on the rise globally, primarily in tropical and humid regions. In the United States, heartworm is found throughout the country, but it’s most common along the Gulf Coast, Southeastern U.S., and the Mississippi region. As climate change warms the earth, the disease is slowly moving northward.

While heartworm disease is still rare in Canada, it is common in southern Europe (Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece) and Southeast Asia (Thailand, Japan, the Philippines). It has also been reported in Australia, the Middle East, and Africa. The American Heartworm Society has even reported an increase in cases in areas that previously had low numbers, such as Washington and Oregon.

Does Your Dog Need Monthly Preventives?

The American Heartworm Society recommends year-round monthly preventives for all dogs. But do all dogs really need them? Not necessarily. The need for monthly preventives depends on the region you live in and the likelihood of exposure to heartworm.

For example, in my area, which is near Washington State, I don’t keep my dog, Tula, on a monthly preventive. For Tula to get heartworm, several factors need to align:

• There need to be mosquitoes.

• The mosquito must bite an infected dog and ingest the heartworm larvae.

• The weather must be warm enough for the larvae to mature in the mosquito.

• The mosquito must be the right species to transmit the disease.

So, while heartworm is a serious disease, the risk may not justify constant medication in every location.

Holistic Approaches to Preventing Heartworm

There are several holistic ways to potentially reduce the risk of heartworm in your dog:

1. Boost Your Dog’s Immune System

   • Avoid repeated vaccinations.

   • Use a minimal vaccine schedule.

   • Avoid things that may suppress the immune system (e.g., prednisone, repeated use of conventional antibiotics).

   • Ensure your dog is fed excellent nutrition, ideally whole foods like real meat and healthy carbs like sweet potatoes and veggies like kale.

   • Include nutraceuticals such as essential fatty acids, probiotics, antioxidants, and colostrum—many of which are in our Ultimate K9 Advanced Plus Health Formula.

2. Practice Mosquito Control

   • Since mosquitoes spread heartworm, preventing mosquito bites is critical. If your dog doesn’t get bitten by mosquitoes, they won’t get heartworm.

   • Use neem oil, an effective natural mosquito repellent. Studies have shown that neem oil can repel up to 100% of mosquitoes in some cases.

   How to Make a Mosquito Repellent Spray:

   • ½ cup witch hazel with aloe

   • ¼ cup liquid coconut oil

   • 2 ½ dropper fulls of neem oil

   • 20 drops of lavender essential oil

   Mix these ingredients together and apply it to your dog’s coat. This spray has shown impressive results in repelling mosquitoes.

Should You Test Your Dog for Heartworm?

If you’re not using conventional preventives and live in an area where heartworm is a concern year-round, I recommend testing your dog at least twice a year. Some holistic veterinarians use Nosodes (homeopathic remedies) for prevention, but this should always be under the guidance of a holistic vet. Personally, I’m cautious about using Nosodes for my dog.

Can You Holistically Treat Heartworm?

If your dog contracts heartworm, there are holistic treatments available. Dr. Steve Marsden, co-author of The Manual of Natural Veterinary Medicine, has successfully used a holistic tincture that includes:

• Ginger (antiparasitic)

• Wormwood (Sweet Annie, antiparasitic)

• Garlic (antiparasitic)

• Thyme (antibacterial and antiparasitic)

• Cinnamon (antifungal)

He also recommends adding bromelain, an enzyme from pineapples, to help break down dead worms and assist in their elimination.

If you choose to pursue this treatment, it must be under the guidance of a holistic veterinarian. In my personal practice, I’d be reluctant to use this tincture on my dog, but I’ve seen success with it in other cases.

What About Monthly Preventives Like Revolution (Selamectin)?

If you live in an area where heartworm is highly prevalent, such as the Southeastern U.S. or parts of Southeast Asia, using a monthly preventive like Revolution is a reasonable option. However, I would recommend using the lowest effective dose and only during times when mosquitoes are active and the conditions are right for heartworm transmission.

For example, during my recent trip to Florida, I didn’t encounter mosquitoes, so I would not have put my dog on a preventive at that time. But in areas with a high mosquito population and a high incidence of heartworm, monthly preventives are a necessary measure.

Conclusion: Is Heartworm a Serious Disease?

Yes, heartworm disease is serious, and you should take steps to prevent it. But are there alternatives to conventional monthly preventives? Absolutely! With the right mosquito control, a healthy immune system, proper nutrition, and possibly natural supplements, you can help your dog reduce the risk of heartworm. If your dog does contract it, holistic treatments could provide some support, but they should be done under the supervision of a qualified holistic veterinarian.

Thank you for watching this edition of Veterinary Secrets of Heartworm and Dogs—2025 update! If you’d like to learn more, click the link above to subscribe, and hit the bell to sign up for notifications. Click the link below for a free copy of my book!

Your Dog’s Defense Against Heartworm with Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Canine Advanced Plus Health Formula

Heartworm prevention goes beyond just using medications—supporting your dog’s overall health is key to helping them fight off parasites naturally. Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Canine Advanced Plus Health Formula is specifically designed to boost your dog’s immune system and enhance their ability to resist infections like heartworm. Packed with essential fatty acids, probiotics, antioxidants, and other vital nutrients, this supplement helps strengthen your dog’s defenses while supporting their heart and overall wellness. Give your dog the natural protection they deserve with Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Canine Advanced Plus Health Formula.