What do I do if my dog has heartworms?
Quick takeaways:
- Give your dog a monthly preventive every month and on time to get the most effective protection against heartworm.
- Try to keep your dog or cat inside in the early morning and at dusk, and away from standing water (mosquito breeding grounds).
- Fix torn window screens, close doors and beware of lighting that can invite mosquitoes into your home. ...
How do I know if my dog has heartworm disease?
- Group I: infection is confirmed but the dog has no symptoms or only an occasional cough. ...
- Group II: the dog coughs regularly and doesn't like to exercise.
- Group III: the dog has severe breathing difficulties, fainting spells, and signs of right-heart failure such as a swollen abdomen and swollen limbs.
Do heartworms hurt a dog?
You may find your dog tires more easily when battling heartworm disease and may have trouble or pain with breathing, especially during periods of strenuous exercise. In severe cases, when heartworms impede blood flow to the brain, your dog runs the risk of losing consciousness. If he stumbles or falls, it could result in painful injuries.
What can I give my Dog for heartworms?
You need to follow some specific rules to make sure your dog doesn’t get the heartworms again:
- Try to keep the surroundings clean, making sure there are no mosquitoes.
- Don’t give your dog foods with additive colors, flavors, or chemicals.
- Mix grated carrots, coconuts, papaya, as well as fennel into your dog’s food. ...
- Make sure your dog’s regular diet contains at least 56% protein, 30% fats, and 14% carbohydrates.
How long will a dog live with heartworms?
The severity of the infection, as well as the overall health of the dog, will play a role in determining how long the dog will live. In general, however, it is thought that most dogs with heartworm infection will not live more than two years if they do not receive some treatment.
Can dogs recover from heartworm?
It is crucial to take your dog to the veterinarian as soon as you notice any symptoms at all. Routine veterinary appointments are also always a must, even if your pet seems to be in perfect health. Dogs can indeed recover completely from heartworm, although the degree of the ailment has a lot to do with outcome.
Are dogs in pain with heartworms?
Early-stage symptoms of heartworm disease. If your pet hasn't been consistently treated for heartworm disease, early detection is the next best defense. Unfortunately, treatment for heartworm disease can be difficult, costly, and painful for your dog.
What happens if a dog has heartworms?
Heartworm disease is a serious disease that results in severe lung disease, heart failure, other organ damage, and death in pets, mainly dogs, cats, and ferrets. It is caused by a parasitic worm called Dirofilaria immitis. The worms are spread through the bite of a mosquito.
What are the first signs of heartworms in dogs?
Signs of heartworm disease may include a mild persistent cough, reluctance to exercise, fatigue after moderate activity, decreased appetite, and weight loss. As heartworm disease progresses, pets may develop heart failure and the appearance of a swollen belly due to excess fluid in the abdomen.
How much does it cost to get rid of heartworms in dogs?
The average cost of heartworm treatment for dogs is often around $1,000. However, it can range from $500 to $1,100 or even more depending mainly on the size of your dog, veterinary bills, and the stage of the disease.
How do I know if my dog is dying from heartworms?
Pay attention to these warning signs of heartworms in dogs, and take your pet to the vet if these symptoms persist.A dry unproductive cough. ... Inactivity or laziness. ... Weight loss and loss of appetite. ... Shallow and rapid breathing. ... Distended chest. ... Allergic reactions. ... Collapsing or fainting.
What to do if you cant afford heartworm treatment?
You should talk to your veterinarian and ask about all of your different options, and you could also try contacting rescue groups in your area to see if there are any that could help with heartworm treatment. You also may want to look into Care Credit (carecredit.com).
Can you see heartworms in dog poop?
Myth #3: If my pet has heartworms, I will see them in her feces. Although many worm types, such as roundworms and tiny hookworms, are shed in your pet's feces, heartworms do not live in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and are not found in feces.
How does a dog get heartworms?
Heartworms are transmitted from an infected animal to your healthy dog through mosquitoes. When an infected mosquito bites your dog, the mosquito can also pass on infective larvae. Over 6 to 7 months, these larvae develop into adult heartworms, causing severe health issues and potentially death.
How long does a heartworm live?
Once inside a new host, it takes approximately 6 months for the larvae to develop into sexually mature adult heartworms. Once mature, heartworms can live for 5 to 7 years in dogs and up to 2 or 3 years in cats.
Can humans get heartworms?
Both dogs and humans can get heartworm infections. But your dog can't give it to you through their bodily fluids. Heartworms get into the bloodstream of both humans and dogs through mosquito bites. Heartworms in the blood of an infected animal reproduce in the gut of the mosquito after a blood meal.
Can dogs live a normal life after heartworm treatment?
Dogs in this advanced condition have a life expectancy of only a few weeks or months. Thankfully, a new medication has been developed for killing adult heartworms while having fewer dangerous side effects.
Does heartworm cause permanent damage?
Even if heartworm infection is treated, we all know it does serious, permanent damage to the body. This in-depth look at that damage will renew your commitment to consistent prevention recommendations for your veterinary patients.
Does heartworm treatment affect lifespan?
This treatment does not actually kill the worms, however it does decrease their lifespan; keep in mind, however, that the average heartworm can live six years, so shortening that lifespan could still mean your dog having a heartworm infection for four more years.
What happens after a dog is treated for heartworms?
After treatment, the adult worms die and are carried by the blood to the lungs where they lodge in small blood vessels. There they decompose and are absorbed by the body over a period of several months. Reactions to the drugs are not uncommon, and there is always some risk involved in treating a dog for heartworms.
What to Expect at The Vet’S Office
If your pet has been diagnosed with heartworm disease via a heartworm antigen test (the most common form of testing), this is what you can expect t...
Questions to Ask Your Veterinarian
As with any type of laboratory test, false positive and false negative results on heartworm tests are possible. In particular, dogs who have been b...
Possible Complications to Watch For With Heartworms
Side effects are common with heartworm treatment. Many dogs experience soreness and swelling at the site of melarsomine injections (the muscles on...
What happens if a dog has heartworms?
Dogs with large numbers of heartworms can develop a sudden blockages of blood flow within the heart leading to a life-threatening form of cardiovascular collapse. This is called caval syndrome, and is marked by a sudden onset of labored breathing, pale gums, and dark bloody or coffee-colored urine.
What are the signs of heartworm disease in dogs?
The longer the infection persists, the more likely symptoms will develop. Active dogs, dogs heavily infected with heartworms, or those with other health problems often show pronounced clinical signs.
What happens if my dog tests positive for heartworms?
The goal is to first stabilize your dog if he is showing signs of disease, then kill all adult and immature worms while keeping the side effects of treatment to a minimum.
What is heartworm disease?
Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal disease in pets in the United States and many other parts of the world. It is caused by foot-long worms (heartworms) that live in the heart, lungs and associated blood vessels of affected pets, causing severe lung disease, heart failure and damage to other organs in the body. Heartworm disease affects dogs, cats and ferrets, but heartworms also live in other mammal species, including wolves, coyotes, foxes, sea lions and—in rare instances—humans. Because wild species such as foxes and coyotes live in proximity to many urban areas, they are considered important carriers of the disease.
How is heartworm disease transmitted from one pet to another?
The mosquito plays an essential role in the heartworm life cycle. Adult female heartworms living in an infected dog, fox, coyote, or wolf produce microscopic baby worms called microfilaria that circulate in the bloodstream. When a mosquito bites and takes a blood meal from an infected animal, it picks up these baby worms, which develop and mature into “infective stage” larvae over a period of 10 to 14 days. Then, when the infected mosquito bites another dog, cat, or susceptible wild animal, the infective larvae are deposited onto the surface of the animal's skin and enter the new host through the mosquito’s bite wound. Once inside a new host, it takes approximately 6 months for the larvae to mature into adult heartworms. Once mature, heartworms can live for 5 to 7 years in dogs and up to 2 or 3 years in cats. Because of the longevity of these worms, each mosquito season can lead to an increasing number of worms in an infected pet.
How significant is my pet's risk for heartworm infection?
Your community may have a greater incidence of heartworm disease than you realize—or you may unknowingly travel with your pet to an area where heartworms are more common. Heartworm disease is also spreading to new regions of the country each year. Stray and neglected dogs and certain wildlife such as coyotes, wolves, and foxes can be carriers of heartworms. Mosquitoes blown great distances by the wind and the relocation of infected pets to previously uninfected areas also contribute to the spread of heartworm disease (this happened following Hurricane Katrina when 250,000 pets, many of them infected with heartworms, were “adopted” and shipped throughout the country).
How do you know if your dog has heartworms?
Signs of heartworm disease may include a mild persistent cough, reluctance to exercise, fatigue after moderate activity, decreased appetite, and weight loss. As heartworm disease progresses, pets may develop heart failure and the appearance of a swollen belly due to excess fluid in the abdomen. Dogs with large numbers of heartworms can develop ...
What Is Heartworm Disease?
The heartworm in dogs that’s prevalent in the U.S. goes by the scientific name Dirofilaria immitis or D. immitis. It does not spread from dog to dog, but requires an intermediary, the mosquito, to infect new hosts.
What Are the Symptoms of Heartworm Infection?
In the early stages, there may be no signs of disease. As the worms grow and multiply, symptoms will become evident, increasing in severity as the disease progresses. There are four classes of infection:
How Is Heartworm Diagnosed?
In many cases, a blood test can determine the presence of the parasite. The blood is tested for the presence of antigens (proteins) even if there is no evidence of microfilariae. If your dog is diagnosed with heartworm through a blood test, your veterinarian will use additional tests for confirmation and to make sure your dog can safely undergo treatment. These include:
How do worms enter the host?
The worms enter their host through a mosquito bite when it is taking a blood meal. Residue on the mosquito’s mouthpiece carries immature worms called microfilaria (which are only about 1/100th of an inch long) from an infected animal to an uninfected one.
How many pets were infected by Hurricane Katrina?
Some brought heartworm with them. AHS estimates that more than a million pets in the U.S. are infected. The AHS notes that climate and environmental change also contribute to the spread of the disease.
How long do worms live in dogs?
They mature after six months and can live in the dog’s body for seven years, each reaching a length of up to one foot, and constantly producing offspring.
When were heartworms first discovered?
The first canine heartworms in the U.S. were discovered in 1856, in the southeast, according to Stanford University. While it was once more common in the Atlantic and Gulf coast states, the American Heartworm Society, in its first update since 2014, reports that heartworm is increasing throughout the country and worldwide.
How to tell if a dog has heartworms?
The most severe problems that are seen after heartworm treatment in dogs are related to the sudden death of large numbers of worms. Call your veterinarian immediately if you notice any of the following: 1 Your dog develops a cough or a preexisting cough becomes worse 2 Your dog has difficulty breathing or pants excessively 3 Your dog becomes weak or lethargic or collapses 4 Your dog’s appetite significantly decreases 5 Your dog begins to vomit or drool excessively or develops diarrhea
How long does a dog grow with heartworms?
Once there, they can grow to be up to a foot long. It is possible for one dog to be infected with hundreds of heartworms. If not treated properly, heartworms in dogs will lead to serious health complications and death. This is why it is so important to keep your dog on continuous heartworm prevention.
How long after melarsomine injection do you test for heartworms?
Test for adult heartworms and microfilariae approximately six months after the third melarsomine injection.
What is the best medicine for heartworms?
Medications: Protocols for treating heartworms often call for the use of multiple medications including several injections to kill the adult heartworms, doxycycline and prednisone taken orally to reduce the chances of unwanted side effects, and heartworm preventative to kill the juvenile heartworms and prevent further infection. In some cases, other medications may be prescribed or different protocols recommended.
What test is done for heartworms in dogs?
If no microfilariae are found, a confirmatory test for adult heartworms should be run by sending a sample to an outside lab. Complete blood cell count, blood chemistry tests, a urinalysis and chest X-rays to assess your dog’s overall condition and plan ...
How long does it take for Melarsomine to kill heartworms?
Restrict exercise and closely monitor for side effects for the next 30 days. Give the second injection of melarsomine 30 days after the first. Give the third injection of melarsomine one day after the second.
How do experienced vets answer your pet questions?
Experienced vets answer all your pet questions via chat or video.
What are the Symptoms of Heartworm Disease in a Dog?
Symptoms of heartworm disease may not be obvious in dogs that have low worm burdens, have been recently infected, or are not very active. Dogs that have heavy worm burdens, have been infected for a long time, or are very active often show obvious symptoms of heartworm disease.
How is a Dog Tested for Heartworms?
A veterinarian uses blood tests to check a dog for heartworms. An antigen test detects specific heartworm proteins, called antigens, which are released by adult female heartworms into the dog’s bloodstream. In most cases, antigen tests can accurately detect infections with one or more adult female heartworms. The earliest that the heartworm proteins can be detected in a dog’s bloodstream is about 5 months after it is bitten by an infected mosquito.
Is Heartworm Disease Different in Cats?
Heartworm disease in cats is a bit different than in dogs. Heartworms in cats do not live as long (average lifespan is only 2 to 4 years) or grow as long, and fewer of them mature into adults. Worm burdens are lower in cats than dogs. Usually a cat has only one or two worms. However, due to its relatively small body size, a cat with only a few worms is still considered to be heavily infected.
What about Heartworm Disease in Ferrets?
Ferrets can also get heartworms from the bite of an infected mosquito. Ferrets are similar to dogs in their susceptibility to heartworm infections, but their symptoms are more similar to those seen in cats.
Can People Get Heartworms from Their Pets?
People cannot get heartworms from their pets. Heartworms are only transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. In rare cases, people can get heartworms after being bitten by an infected mosquito. But because people are not a natural host for heartworms, the larvae usually migrate to the arteries of the heart and lungs and die before they become adult worms.
Why are worms called heartworms?
The worms are called “heartworms” because the adults live in the heart, lungs, and associated blood vessels of an infected animal.
How many classes of heartworms are there in dogs?
Dogs that have heavy worm burdens, have been infected for a long time, or are very active often show obvious symptoms of heartworm disease. There are four classes, or stages, of heartworm disease. The higher the class, the worse the disease and the more obvious the symptoms.
How long does it take for a dog to get heartworm treatment?
In severe cases of heartworm disease, or when a dog has another serious condition, the process can take several months. Administer treatment.
Why is it important to restrict dog activities after heartworm diagnosis?
But your dog’s normal physical activities must be restricted as soon as the diagnosis is confirmed, because physical exertion increases the rate at which the heartworms cause damage in the heart and lungs.
How long do worms last after melarsomine?
After treating a dog with melarsomine injections, adult worms may continue to die for more than a month following this treatment. Heartworm antigen testing is the most reliable method of confirming that all of the adult heartworms have been eliminated.
What is the best medicine for heartworm in dogs?
Your veterinarian is recommending what is best. Only one drug, which is called melarsomine, is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of heartworm infection in dogs; this drug should be administered by injection in the veterinary hospital.
What to do if my dog has worms?
The goal is to first stabilize your dog if he is showing signs of disease, then kill all adult and immature worms while keeping the side effects of treatment to a minimum. Here's what you should expect if your dog tests positive: Confirm the diagnosis.
How to keep a dog from running?
Keep your dog indoors and/or in a kennel most of the time. When he needs to go outside to relieve himself, keep his leash on, so that a sudden encounter with a squirrel or other distraction doesn’t send him running.
Can dogs get heartworms?
My dog has heartworms. My vet started her on monthly prevention before he started treatment. Is this OK?#N#Yes, it is recommended in the American Heartworm Society's Guidelines to do so. This should be done under the direct supervision of a veterinarian because dogs with microfilaria (baby worms in the blood that the mosquito picks up when feeding) could possibly have a reaction to the preventive. And while this is an extra-label use of heartworm preventives, it is appropriate under the supervision of a veterinarian. However, it is important that your veterinarian assesses the severity of the disease and chooses the proper preventive accordingly. By starting the prevention program you are ensuring that your dog will not get a new heartworm infection while being treated for the existing heartworm disease. Furthermore, you are helping to keep your dog from being a source of heartworm larvae (microfilaria) for mosquitoes to pick up and eventually infect other dogs. This approach makes the treatment of the existing infection more effective.
How long does heartworm last in dogs?
At approximately eight months after the invasion, heartworm in dogs begin to produce a new crop of microfilariae that will live in the dog's blood for about one month. By the time this occurs, most dogs are showing significant heartworm symptoms, and their lives are in danger.
What Is Heartworm Disease?
Heartworm disease in dogs is a blood-borne parasitic nematode (roundworm) known as Dirofilaria immitis transmitted by mosquitoes.
Why do dogs need ultrasounds for heartworm?
This is helpful because many dogs with heartworm develop enlarged pulmonary arteries, or have obstructions in the arteries leading to the lungs. Ultrasounds allows us directly view the internal structures of the heart and surrounding vessels, in order to assess the condition and function of the heart.
What is the difference between stage 1 and stage 2 heartworms in dogs?
However, in stage one the disease has not yet progressed to the point where the heartworms will have produced a new generation of microfilariae and dog's body will not yet have produced antigens in an amount sufficient for detection. Stage 2: Stage two of heartworms in dogs is accompanied by moderate symptoms including intolerance for exercise ...
What are the stages of heartworm in dogs?
The four clinical stages of heartworm begin when your dog has already become infected and the heartworms are present in the dog's heart: Stage 1: In dogs, the first stage of heartworm will typically be symptom free. In this stage the heartworms are present and settling into the heart.
How long does it take for mosquitoes to get into a dog's mouth?
Mosquitoes ingest immature heartworm larvae, called microfilariae, by feeding on either an infected cat or dog. The microfilariae develop further for 10 to 30 days in the mosquito's gut and then enter parts of the mosquito's mouth. When an infected mosquito bites a dog, it injects larvae into the dog.
Why is early detection important for dogs?
As heartworm disease progresses through each stage, treatment methods become increasingly invasive. This is a big reason why early detection plays a major role in the options and ability for your dog to recover. Remain aware of any changes in your dog's behavior.
What are the side effects of heartworm treatment in dogs?
Treatment for heartworm can cause serious complications for your pet's health and can be potentially toxic to the dog’s body. Many dogs experience soreness and swelling at the site of their injections. The most severe side effects are related to a large number of worms suddenly dying. You must contact your vet immediately if your dog is panting excessively, has difficulty breathing, is suddenly lethargic or collapses, begins to reject food, begins to vomit, or develops diarrhea.
What is heartworm treatment in dogs?
The team at Carolina Veterinary Specialists cannot stress enough that, when it comes to heartworm, prevention is vastly superior to treatment. We recommend contacting your vet post-haste to formulate a preventative treatment plan for your canine companion if you have not already. Most commonly Heartworm prevention is administered through a monthly medication that can be prescribed by your vet.
What should I do after my dog's heartworm treatment?
It is critical that your dog be allowed to rest following their injection. Heartworm treatment in dogs kills the Adult heartworms within a few days, but further complications can occur while their corpses are decomposing. It can take several months for the heartworms to be reabsorbed into the patient's bloodstream. Most post-treatment complications arise from these fragments of decomposing heartworms, so to minimize this risk your dog must not be allowed to exercise and should be kept as quiet as possible for the first month following treatment. For seven to eight weeks following injection, a cough will be noticeable. If this cough persists beyond this or is especially severe, as well as if your dog is demonstrating shortness of breath or fever, contact your veterinarian right away.
How does heartworm spread?
Heartworm is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito, which can pass a parasitic worm called dirofilaria immitis into a dog's bloodstream. Heartworm is not contagious, and cannot be passed from one host dog to another, it is only through Mosquito bites that heartworm passes. Do not make the mistake of thinking that means the risk of heartworm is low; heartworm has been reported in all 50 states while being especially common between New Jersey and the Gulf of Mexico, as well as along the Mississippi River and its major tributaries.
How long does a dog live with heartworm?
Dogs in this advanced condition have a life expectancy of only a few weeks or months.
Can heartworm cause organ damage in dogs?
Heartworm disease is a serious condition that can lead to irreparable organ damage in dogs. In this article, staff at Carolina Veterinary Specialists explain what pet owners should be prepared for during their dog's heartworm treatment.
Does Melarsomine kill heartworms?
Thankfully, a new medication has been developed for killing adult heartworms while having fewer dangerous side effects. Melarsomine is an injectable drug that kills adult heartworms that is administered over the course of multiple injections. Typically your dog will be given a 30 day rest period after their first injection, after which they will receive two more injections 24 hours apart. Antibiotics will also be prescribed to combat any infectious bacteria the heartworms may be carrying. With this new medication, 95% of dogs with heartworms are now able to be successfully treated.
How long does it take for heartworms to die in dogs?
Beware of this information. It can take up to 2 years for the adult heartworms to die off in your dog’s body. During that time, the worms are still circulating and causing damage to your dog’s heart and pulmonary function. This could cause unnecessary damage and debilitation.
How do you know if your dog has heartworm?
7 Signs of Heartworm in Dogs. 1. A soft, dry cough. The parasites make their way to the lungs and start multiplying in the lungs and surrounding veins. Coughing may be most noticeable after exercise and may end with fainting. Even light exercise can cause fainting. 2.
What to do if my dog is not taking heartworm preventive?
If your pet is not taking a heartworm preventive, please talk with your vet about getting started. And if you notice some of the above signs of heartworm in dogs, see your vet right away to get a correct diagnosis.
How long does it take for heartworm symptoms to show?
Heartworm symptoms may take more than 6 months to appear. Photo: Josh
Can heartworm be prevented in dogs?
Using heartworm preventive as treatment has been a life-sa ver for many stray dogs in the South who have been helped out by rescue groups. But this has caused resistant strains of heartworm. This stinks!
Can a dog have heartworms?
This is true even though a young dog can have a serious infection if the environment has been ripe for heartworms to multiply like crazy. This is why your vet will want to “stage” a heartworm infection with bloodwork and X-rays.
Is heartworm a real threat to dogs?
Heartworm is a real threat if your dog is not on preventive. The term “heartworm” doesn’t mean a lot to some folks. These people tell vets that they don’t believe in heartworms. Like fake news, they think the disease is a fake or minor disease made up by vets to make money. This is not only insulting but misinformed.
Diagnosis
Prevention
- The key to understanding heartworms (Dirofilaria immitis) and how they affect your pets health is understanding the worm's life cycle. Once this is understood then it will make sense why it is wiser to prevent a heartworm infection than wait and treat the worm once it is present.
Causes
- The heartworm goes through a total of four molts to mature into an adult worm. The first two occur inside the mosquito and the next two occur inside the final host. So how does the heartworm get into your pet? Heartworm disease begins with an infected animal, known as the source, that has circulating microfilaria in its blood. A mosquito stops by for a meal and inadvert…
Life cycle
- The L3 larva goes through its first molt to the L4 within the first 15 days and as early as 2-5 days after infection. The second molt from the L4 to the L5 occurs within the next 2 months. The L5 larva is considered a juvenile adult and works its way through the hosts tissues all the way to the heart as early as 70 days after first entering the host. The majority of L5 heartworm larvae arrive …
Other animals
- Another factor is some animals develop something similar to an allergy to the heartworms, or to the microfilaria, which results in the occult heartworm infections and can cause varying signs similar to allergies or asthma. This more elusive kind of infestation occurs most often in the cat. It is not uncommon for infected cats to suddenly die from the effects of just a few worms.
Symptoms
- When a dog is first infested with heartworm there are no visible or detectable signs. In fact, even a blood test will not detect heartworms initially. The changes in dogs begin when during the final molt of the heartworm larvae; it is then that the immature L5 larvae arrive in the right ventricle and neighboring blood vessels. Due to the inflammation, blood vessel obstruction and fluid accumul…
Pathophysiology
- Within days, the artery lining is damaged. The body responds by inducing inflammation of the artery, called endarteritis, and other inflammation in the area to try to heal the damage. Unfortunately, the heartworms cause damage at a rate faster than the body can heal. Over time, the arteries develop certain characteristics that are typical of heartworm disease; often these ch…
Risks
- Lowest risk... young healthy dogs with minimal heartworm disease evident on X-rays and all other tests are normal.
Treatment
- Vena Cava Syndrome or Caval Syndrome... the dog is collapsing in shock, all of the above abnormalities are more intense and the dog is dying. They are initially treated with surgical jugular removal of some worms if possible. There is no guarantee this treatment will be successful and many patients with Caval Syndrome die in spite of treatment. By now, it is clear that the treatme…
Side effects
Other animals
- Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal disease in pets in the United States and many other parts of the world. It is caused by foot-long worms (heartworms) that live in the heart, lungs and associated blood vessels of affected pets, causing severe lung disease, heart failure and damage to other organs in the body. Heartworm disease af...
Life cycle
- The mosquito plays an essential role in the heartworm life cycle. Adult female heartworms living in an infected dog, fox, coyote, or wolf produce microscopic baby worms called microfilaria that circulate in the bloodstream. When a mosquito bites and takes a blood meal from an infected animal, it picks up these baby worms, which develop and mature into infective stage larvae over …
Symptoms
- In the early stages of the disease, many dogs show few symptoms or no symptoms at all. The longer the infection persists, the more likely symptoms will develop. Active dogs, dogs heavily infected with heartworms, or those with other health problems often show pronounced clinical signs. Signs of heartworm disease may include a mild persistent cough, reluctance to exercise, f…
Epidemiology
- The fact is that heartworm disease has been diagnosed in all 50 states, and risk factors are impossible to predict. Multiple variables, from climate variations to the presence of wildlife carriers, cause rates of infections to vary dramatically from year to yeareven within communities. And because infected mosquitoes can come inside, both outdoor and indoor pets are at risk.
Prevention
- For that reason, the American Heartworm Society recommends that you think 12: (1) get your pet tested every 12 months for heartworm and (2) give your pet heartworm preventive 12 months a year.
Diagnosis
- Heartworm disease is a serious, progressive disease. The earlier it is detected, the better the chances the pet will recover. There are few, if any, early signs of disease when a dog or cat is infected with heartworms, so detecting their presence with a heartworm test administered by a veterinarian is important. The test requires just a small blood sample from your pet, and it work…
Treatment
- No one wants to hear that their dog has heartworm, but the good news is that most infected dogs can be successfully treated. The goal is to first stabilize your dog if he is showing signs of disease, then kill all adult and immature worms while keeping the side effects of treatment to a minimum.