Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that can affect dogs and cats. Once contracted, treating it can be challenging. Early detection is crucial for your pet's recovery, so pet owners must recognize the symptoms promptly.
Heartworm Signs In Dogs
In the initial stages of heartworm, your dog might show few or no symptoms. However, as the disease progresses, symptoms become more numerous and severe.
Early indicators may include a mild cough, decreased appetite, weight loss, reluctance to exercise, and fatigue after moderate activity. As heartworms grow in number and size, they can damage the lungs and heart, leading to difficult breathing, a bulging chest, and blockages in blood flow, potentially causing cardiovascular collapse.
Heartworm Signs In Cats
Since cats are not natural hosts for heartworms, the disease impacts them differently than it does for dogs. Dogs typically exhibit more severe symptoms as worms increase, but cats can be significantly affected by even one or two worms.
Symptoms in cats may include coughing, lethargy, loss of appetite, asthma-like attacks, vomiting, or difficulty walking. In rare instances, cats may die suddenly without any prior symptoms, highlighting the importance of regular testing and preventive measures.
Diagnosis Of Heartworms
While recognizing the symptoms of heartworm disease is essential, regular testing is crucial for maintaining your pet's health. Even if your dog or cat is on a heartworm preventative, your vet should test for heartworm at least once a year.
A simple blood test can usually determine the presence of heartworms in dogs. Diagnosing heartworms in cats can be more complex and may require additional tests, such as X-rays, ultrasounds, and a blood test.
