Most dog owners show their love and affection for their furry friends by playing fetch, giving treats, and daily hugs and attention. But the most important way to show you care for them by protecting them from heartworms in dogs with preventatives like Sentinel or Tri-Heart Plus. Find out what heartworm symptoms look like and how to deal with them.
Cause of Heartworms in dogs
Heartworms are large parasitic worms that live in the bodies of dogs, cats, horses, and other animal species. Over time, these unwelcome intruders attack the animal's veins, liver, lungs, heart, and other vital organs. The most common animals infected are dogs. The carrier culprits are mosquitos. Heartworm larvae are injected by the mosquito into the bloodstream of the dog and mature into adult worms that can live up to 7 years. One sting is all it takes from an infected mosquito and your beloved pup could be in serious danger.
It is a common myth that heartworms only affect animals in specific states. The truth is that mosquitos have been reported in all 50 states, and where there are mosquitoes, there are heartworms. Because it is impossible to know if a mosquito is infected with the disease, it is of utmost importance to take preventative measures to protect your dog from this serious and potentially fatal disease.
Many families have more than one dog and often wonder if heartworm disease can be spread from pet to pet. Luckily, the answer to this question is no. Heartworms are only transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Therefore, the only dog affected will be the one who suffered the infectious sting. There should be no worries about your dogs sharing food or water bowls, toys, or play areas. There have also been very few human cases of heartworm reported.
There are some clear signs and symptoms of your dog having heartworms. Initially, a dog may show no apparent signs but over time, the dog may develop a mild to severe cough as the worms begin to crowd the lungs and heart. Dogs may also become worn out and winded more easily and engage in less physical activity than before. Usually playful and energetic dogs may begin to lay down instead of running to fetch or leap up stairs. Another heartworm symptom is weight loss, lack of interest, or fever. A lack of appetite or jaundice may also be clear signs of the presence of heartworms. In the final stages of the disease, a dog may collapse or pass out from lack of blood to the brain. At this point, it may be nearly impossible to save the pet.
Prevention and Treatment
As a pet owner, you have two options when it comes to heartworm and your dog: prevention or treatment. Prevention, of course, should be the obvious choice and will save you hundreds of dollars in the long run. You can choose between pills, topical ointments, or injections for your dog that will run under $100 per year depending on the dog's weight. Popular brands of heartworm medicine are Heartgard, Interceptor, Sentinel, Iverhart and Trifexis. An investment in one of these products could mean saving the life of your pet. However, if a dog is infected due to lack of preventative care, the results may be devastating if not treated soon after heartworm symptoms arise. The treatment for heartworms will cost approximately $300 to $1000, which may include x-rays, blood work, tests, and injections. The treatment is a lengthy process which requires a dog to be contained for up to 6 weeks. It is not guaranteed that all dogs will survive heartworm treatment, but if caught early enough, treatment is usually successful.
According to researchers, only about 50% of dogs in the U.S. are on some sort of heartworm preventative medication. Not only are preventative measures significantly more affordable than treatment after the fact, but part of showing care and compassion for your pet is sparing them from potentially dangerous and/or fatal diseases. Preventative medications have been proven to be 99% effective and many of them also prevent other types of worm infections. Giving dogs regular preventative medications are a sure way to show your pet you care about their health, safety, and well-being.
This information is for informational purposes only and is not meant as a substitute for the professional advice of, or diagnosis or treatment by, your veterinarian with respect to your pet. It has, however, been verified by a licensed veterinarian for accuracy.