Just one little mosquito bite can infect your dog with heartworm. The heartworm is spread when a mosquito bites an infected animal and then bites a healthy animal. Then worms grow and infect the heart, lungs, and pulmonary arteries of your dog. They can make the dog very sick and eventually cause death.
The worms invade the heart and the large blood vessels around the heart and lungs. The damage vital tissue and eventually cause heart failure and pulmonary disease. Sometimes they cause liver failure and kidney disease by obstructing large blood vessels.
Heartworm disease is 99% preventable. Veterinarians can now prescribe medication to prevent heartworm disease. The disease can be spread at any time of the year, People assume because it is passed by mosquitoes that it is a seasonal problem.
As part of your dog’s annual checkup, your pet should be given a heartworm test. A simple blood test can determine if your dog has been exposed to heartworm. If all is well, then he should begin taking preventive medication. Your veterinarian will likely recommend either a monthly or an application or topical medication. It is usually recommended that your pet be given preventive medication for heartworm year round.
Keeping your pet on this medication also helps prevent intestinal parasites such as hookworms and roundworms.
If you have not been giving your dog preventive heartworm medication, be aware of the signs of the disease. They include labored breathing, bloated stomach, deep chest cough, weight loss, fatigue and lethargy.
If you suspect your dog is infected, take him to your veterinarian immediately. Your dog will then be given a diagnostic test to determine how extensive the infection is.
The treatment for heartworms in dogs is through intramuscular injection of an arsenical drug regimen. Complications are possible so you veterinarian will want to closely monitor treatment.
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