Heartworms in dogs

Heartworm

Heartworms in dogs can be a serious condition that can lead to death.

Dogs that are infected can lose weight, cough, or become exercise intolerant.   Also, infected dogs can have congestive failure.

Dog heartworm is a parasitic roundworm distributed by mosquitoes. It is not very common, but dog heartworms can end up infecting other parts of the body such as an eye, the brain, or an artery, leading to blindness, lameness or seizures.

That's why it's a good idea to ensure adequate preventative action is taken to keep your dog from getting sick with dog heartworm in the first place.

Treatment of dog heartworm after infection can be long, difficult and dangerous, involving
medications with potentially hazardous side effects and, sometimes, heart surgery.

The parasite that causes heartworm, a roundworm (dirofilaria immitis), lives in your dog's heart and is transmitted to other dogs by mosquito bites unless treated with a proper dog heartworm medication.

There are several good preventative medicines on the market that can protect your pet.
Some are more economical to use than others, and can especially save you money compared to the treatment that may be necessary if your dog becomes infected.

An ideal choice for dog treatments is to select a product specifically recommended for your dog, such as by a Veterinarian. Remember, dog heartworm medicines are not all the same and some may even be harmful to your dog, depending on their breed.

Don't ever give your canine heartworm pills unless she or he has been tested first. A heartworm infection in your dog can be a very serious health problem but can be prevented with an effective dog treatment.

But you can certainly help to minimize canine heartworm disease by providing your dog heartworm medication. Even breeding bitches and stud dogs can be safely treated with suitable medications.

Whichever form of heartworm treatment you choose, you can be sure that used correctly, they will help to protect your pet from the risk of heartworm disease.

Remembering to regularly provide the preventative may be the hardest part of keeping your dog heartworm-free and healthy. In some areas this will mean giving your dog heartworm
medication all year round while in other areas it will only be necessary for part of the year.

With numerous infected dogs being treated (including dogs from various shelters etc), there has been a warning to confine the treated dog for one month to avoid pulmonary thromboembolism.

Also, diseases spread (for example) can include: by filarial (dog heartworm), protozoan (malaria), and viral diseases (dengue, encephalitis).

It is also estimated that 25 - 50% of infected dogs may not have circulating microfilaria due to a low or nonexistent female heartworm population (occult infection).

The canine heartworm is of inconsiderable public health risk, because it is uncommon for humans to become infected. However, public infection with the dog heartworm (dirofilaria immitis) may be suspected as leading to focal pulmonary infarction with granuloma formation.

In summary, dog heartworm disease can be treated by various pet medications.   And there are several good preventative medicines on the market that can protect your pet.

Some are more economical to use than others, and can especially save you money compared to the treatment that may be necessary if your dog becomes infected.