Heartworms
How will I know if my dog has heartworm?
What can I do if my pet gets heartworm?
How can I prevent heartworm disease?
Heartworm is a worm that lives in the heart and the adjacent vessels of the heart. The female worm can range fro six to fourteen inches in length. The male worm is about half the size of the female. Once infested your dog can have as many as three hundred worms at one time.
How will I know if my dog has heartworms?
The easiest way to find out if your pet has heartworm disease is to test for it. This is accomplished through a simple blood test that can be run in the hospital while your pet waits for their visit. Since this is an antigen test, it only tests for the presence of the adult worm. If you think your pet has heartworm, they may show the following signs:
- Coughing
- Trouble breathing
- Loss of stamina
- Lethargy
- Nervousness
Unfortunately, it can take anywhere from two to three years of infestation before the above signs become present. It is recommended that you test your pet regularly and start them on heartworm prevention.
How is heartworms transmitted?
Heartworm disease is spread from pet to pet by mosquitoes. The mosquito acts as the intermediate host by picking up the microfilaria from the pets blood stream and injecting it into the next pet upon taking their next blood meal. The microfilaria then flows through the blood stream until they reach the heart. Once in the heart, the microfilaria attach themselves and mature into the adult worm.
What can I do if my dog gets heartworm?
Once your dog is diagnosed with heartworm disease it is recommended to proceed along with the treatment for the eradication of the worm. You veterinarian will go over, in depth, a treatment plan that is right for your pet. This can include blood work, x-rays, cage rest, and treatment with Imitacide for the eradication of the worm.
How can I prevent heartworm disease?
Once your pet has been tested for heartworm disease it is recommended that they should be placed on heartworm prevention. These products will ensure that your pet will not become infected with the heartworms if they are bit by a career mosquito. We carry both Heartgard and Revolution for your prevention needs.
Heartworm Prevention
Heartworm in an adult dog's heart.