Knowing the risks and consequences of heartworm disease is important for a dog owner. Heartworms are a type of parasite that can infect your dog's heart, lungs, and blood vessels, causing severe health problems and even death if left untreated. In this article, we will discuss all the facts you need to know about heartworms in dogs.
What Are Heartworms?
Heartworms are parasitic worms that can infect dogs, cats, and other mammals. They are transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes, which carry immature heartworms called microfilariae. Once inside your dog's body, these microfilariae mature into adult heartworms, which can grow up to 12 inches long and cause severe damage to your dog's heart and lungs.
Symptoms Of Heartworms In Dogs
Heartworm disease is often called the "silent killer" because symptoms may not appear until the disease is in its advanced stages. Some common symptoms of heartworm disease in dogs include:
Coughing
Difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Weight loss
Loss of appetite
Swollen abdomen
Fainting
Death
If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, it is important to take them to the vet as soon as possible for diagnosis and treatment.
Heartworms are transmitted between dogs by mosquitos. Adult female heartworm lives in an infested dog and produces tiny juvenile worms called microfilariae. Some are taken up when a mosquito carries a blood meal with circulating microfilariae. After a short development period in the mosquito, these juvenile worms can be passed to a new dog when the mosquito takes another blood meal.
Diagnosis Of Heartworms In Dogs
To diagnose heartworm disease in dogs, your veterinarian will perform a blood test to look for the presence of heartworm antigens. If the test comes back positive, your vet may also recommend imaging tests, such as x-rays or ultrasounds, to determine the severity of the infection.
Treatment Of Heartworms In Dogs
Treating heartworm disease in dogs can be expensive and complicated, and it may not be effective in advanced cases. The most common treatment involves a series of injections that kill adult heartworms, but this can be dangerous for dogs with severe infections. Prevention is the best way to protect your dog from heartworm disease.
Prevention Of Heartworms In Dogs
There are several ways to prevent heartworm disease in dogs. The most effective method is to use a monthly heartworm preventative medication available in both oral and topical forms. These medications work by killing the microfilariae before they have a chance to mature into adult heartworms.
In addition to using the preventative medication, you can also reduce your dog's risk of heartworm disease by:
Keeping your dog indoors during peak mosquito season
Using mosquito repellents on your dog
Eliminating standing water around your home, which can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes
Having your dog tested for heartworms annually
Conclusion
Heartworm disease is a severe and potentially deadly condition affecting dogs of all ages and breeds. As a responsible pet owner, it is important to prevent heartworm disease in your dog by using monthly preventative medication and reducing their exposure to mosquitoes. In addition, if you suspect your dog may have heartworm disease, it is important to seek veterinary care as soon as possible to prevent further damage to their heart and lungs.
This on-line company is such a good find. They provide quality products at a good price with delivering them efficiently. Definitely recommend purchasing from them.
Two sweet girlies decided to make our deck their home. Mosquitoes are a big problem where we live and we had to get them protected. This was the best bang for the buck. I’ve ordered from 79Pets several times and while delivery is not fast it is very consistent.
As a retired veterinary technician I was extremely happy to finally see a flea and heartworm medication that actually does tapeworms too!!!!!!! This is a 1st to my knowledge....I live in a tropical climate where fleas never die so this is heaven sent.
Great price, authentic quality and reliable shipping. Shipping takes a bit longer, since it is being shipped from abroad. But still a reliable service.
After Seresto collars failed to get rid of fleas, I didn't know where to turn. I saw a post on a page I follow (Kentucky Kitty Cats) saying that they use Nexgard Combo for the cats they shelter. I decided to try it and IT WORKS!
This is Lexi Marie! She was wondering why mom was so excited for buying flea medicine. I explained to her that we saved $100 and that she would understand some day when she grows up.
Last year, I made a visit to the vet. I told them that Kattie/cat had ear mites. They gave me an ointment costing $80canadian. I used it up and purchased another bottle. $160. total not including the cost of the vet visit. No results. The ear mites have been there for a long time. Canadian vets have control of what is sold in Pet stores and you cannot purchase off the shelf products not recognized by them.
I jumped at the chance to purchase your produce with a recommended 100% effectivity. I was willing to try, but was suspicions.
After a month there was still a little scratching but after 6 weeks, the mites are gone and the scratching is gone.
Thank you very much for this mite solution. I recommend it heartily. Harry
P.S. Do not tell the Canadian vets as they will outlaw your product.
En fait, c'est le seul produit dont mon chat "Winston" ne soufre pas de problèmes cutané et perte de poils, le "Révolution plus" fait très bien le travail, merci.
