What is heartworm in dogs?
Heartworm disease, which is spread through the bite of a mosquito, is primarily caused by a blood-borne parasite called dirofilaria immitis.
Your dog can become a definitive host for this parasite, meaning that while living inside your pet, the worms mature into adults and then mate and produce offspring. This serious condition is called heartworm disease because the worms make their home in an infected pet's heart, lungs, and blood vessels.
What are the signs of heartworm disease in dogs?
Sadly, in dogs, the signs of heartworm disease don’t typically appear until the disease has progressed to more advanced stages. Once symptoms do become evident, they include fatigue, swollen abdomen, coughing, difficulty breathing, and weight loss.
If you notice any of these signs, call your vet right away to book an exam. Because heartworms can be fatal, it is critical to have your dog treated as quickly as possible.
How is heartworm disease in dogs diagnosed?
Blood tests can be done at your vet's office to detect heartworm proteins, called antigens, that have been released into the your dog's bloodstream. These antigens become detectable between five and seven months after your dog has become infected.
How is heartworm disease in dogs treated?
Prevention is so important when it comes to heartworm because treatment for the disease can cause serious health complications and be toxic to your pup's body. Not only that, but treatment can be expensive because it requires multiple visits to the vet, bloodwork, X-rays, hospitalization, and a series of injections.
If your dog is diagnosed with heartworms, your vet can treat it with melarsomine dihydrochloride (an arsenic-containing drug that kills adult heartworms). Melarsomine dihydrochloride is injected into a dog's back muscles to kill the parasites.
Topical FDA-approved solutions are also available to treat heartworm disease. When applied directly to the animal's skin, these solutions can help eliminate parasites in the bloodstream.
In some csaes, however, the disease has dvanced too far, making it too dangerous to administer medications to kill heartworms. Instead, your veterinarian will focus on treating organ damage and making your dog as comfortable as possible. Unfortunately, in such circumstances, dogs are not likely to live beyond a few more months.
When & how often should you give heartworm prevention medication to dogs?
Keeping your dog on preventative medication is the best way to prevent heartworm disease from impacting its health. Even if your dog is already on preventive heartworm medication, our vets recommend having your dog tested for heartworms annually.
Heartworm prevention is safer, easier, and more affordable than treating the disease. Some heartworm preventive medications can also help protect against other parasites, such as hookworms, whipworms, and roundworms.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.