What Every Dog Owner Should Know About Heartworm

If you recently added a puppy to your family, or you own an older dog, then you'll want to read this article right away.

In this article, we're going to discuss several important facts about heartworm that are vital to your dog's well being. First, we'll talk about what heartworm is and how your dog can contract it. Next, I'm going to tell you about symptoms you should watch for and how to treat your dog if he does get infected. Last, we'll finish up by talking about what you can do to prevent heartworm in your dog altogether.

First, let's talk about what heartworm is and how your dog can catch it. Heartworm is caused by a parasite that is carried by mosquitos. Mosquitos carry the larvae from one animal to another by biting. When they bite, they draw blood from an infected animal, and then deposit it in a healthy animal when they bite again.

The heartworm parasite gets into a blood vessel and travels to the right ventricle of the heart. There's an incubation process, and then the parasite begins to multiply. One female parasite can lay thousands of eggs every day. The parasites anchor themselves in the heart, and begin to grow. They can reach lengths of up to 12 inches long and resemble thin, cooked spaghetti.

Next, let's talk about the symptoms and treatment of heartworm. The most common symptom is excessive coughing. You'll also notice that your dog may start panting heavily and wheezing, even with just light exercise. Your dog may vomit often. If the disease has progressed sufficiently, loss of consciousness will occur. Heartworm restricts the flow of blood to the heart, and that causes many respiratory and circulatory problems. You should always be on the lookout for these symptoms in your dog.

Once the symptoms do appear, that means the disease has already progressed to a very dangerous stage. Your vet will do a blood test to detect the disease. If the disease is found, the most common treatments are medications in the form of pills, and topical solutions. In some cases, the worms may need to removed surgically. The problem with heartworm is that symptoms may not present for up to a year after your dog has contracted the disease. That's why prevention is the most effective way to fight heartworm. That's what we're going to discuss now.

The best way to keep your dog free of heartworm is to get your dog on a monthly dose of preventive medication. This medication is usually given in the form of a chew tablet, but it can also be given by injection. Injections are usually given once every 6 months. This is a great option if you have a hard time getting your dog to take pills. It also ensures that you won't forget to dose your dog on time. It's very important that you medicate your dog at the same time every month.

Regular visits to the vet are also a great way to prevent heartworm. Your vet will do a blood test to detect the disease. If the test is positive, the vet will most likely do an angiogram to see what stage the disease is in. this way the vet can develop an effective treatment plan for your dog.

Another great way to keep your dog safe is to keep him from playing near standing water or damp, low-lying areas. These are big breeding grounds for mosquitos, and they increase the chances of your dog being bitten.

If you know what heartworm is, understand how your dog can get it, and use preventive techniques to avoid it, you can be sure that your dog will be happy and healthy for years to come!