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HEARTWORM
DISEASE: A SERIOUS AND POTENTIALLY FATAL DISEASE
The life
cycle of the heartworm begins when an infected dog, carrying tiny immature
heartworms (microfilariae) circulating in its blood, is bitten by a
mosquito. The mosquito takes in microfilariae (larvae) when it feeds.
During
the next two-three weeks, the larvae develop within the mosquito into
the infective stage. When the mosquito feeds again, it can transmit
infective larvae to the healthy dog. The larvae penetrate the dog's
skin and migrate through the tissues and develop over the next few months,
eventually reaching the dog's heart.
Once in
the dog's heart, the worms can grow to as long as 14 inches and cause
significant damage to the heart, lungs and other vital organs. If left
untreated, heartworm disease can result in death.
Heartworm
FAQs
Can
my dog get heartworm disease?
Yes. Your dog can get heartworm disease, whether he's an "outside"
dog or even if he stays inside most of the time. Dogs get heartworm
disease from mosquitoes. It is the female mosquito that bites and transmits
the infection. Female mosquitoes are very tiny and can easily slip through
cracks around windows, doors or screens. Every dog can be at risk, indoors
or out.
Are
some dogs more susceptible than others?
Unfortunately, no dog, or breed of dog, is immune to heartworm disease.
The mosquito that bites your dog could be carrying this common and deadly
parasite. One bite from an infected mosquito is all it takes for your
dog to become infected.
How
can I know for sure if my dog already has heartworm?
The only way to know for sure is to have your family veterinarian examine
and test your dog. The procedure is quick and easy. Don't delay in calling
your veterinarian to arrange for a heartworm test. If your dog gets
heartworm disease, treatment can be dangerous for him and expensive
for you.
Signs of
heartworm disease include signs associated with right heart failure.
Coughing, sluggishness, labored breeding, and ascites (accumulation
of fluid in the abdomen) may occur in the disease in its advanced stages.
When
is the right time to get my dog tested?
Mosquitoes, the carriers of heartworm disease, can be found at varying
times of the year depending on the climate. Ask your veterinarian when
the best time is to have your dog tested.
How
can I prevent my dog from getting heartworm disease in the future?
If your veterinarian determines that your dog is free of heartworms,
he or she will tell you how easy and convenient prevention can be. It's
important to follow your veterinarian's instructions; if you don't,
your dog could still be at risk. Remember, the first, most important
step is to have your dog tested for heartworms.
Heartworm
prevention can be accomplished in several different ways. Daily medication
or monthly preventative are usually the methods of choice. These medications
are available by prescription from your veterinarian and should not
be started without either a blood test or your veterinarian's approval.
As with most diseases which affect the animal kingdom, an ounce of prevention
usually beats a pound of cure. If and animal tests positive for heart
worm, treatment is available but at a cost which is normally 10 - 20
times as much as annual prevention would be.
