Heartworms And Your Pit Bull Terrier: Dog Health Advice

One of the most devastating parasites which may threaten your
Pit Bull is the heartworm. These nasty creatures can linger in
your pet for years before dealing a death blow to your Pit Bull.
Heartworms are treatable, but it is best to use a protective
stance rather than wait for infection to occur.

This disease is not spread from pet to pet via contact, but by
another nasty creature we all know as the mosquito. The mosquito
is a necessary link in the transfer of the disease. The number
of dogs infected with heartworms always increases during the
height of mosquito season. Long mosquito seasons will increase
the rate of infections rapidly.

Once heartworms are transmitted by the mosquito into the dog’s
blood stream, they travel through the blood into the heart and
the major pulmonary blood vessels. The heartworms are in the
immature stage and are called microfilaria.

Upon arriving in the heart, the microfilaria will set up
residence and grow into adult heartworms. These fully grown
parasites cause heart blockage and damage to surrounding tissues
by clogging the heart and the major blood vessels leading from
the heart. Adult heartworms will also interfere with the valve
action within the heart.

When the heart and main blood vessels get clogged, the blood
flow to other critical organs is reduced, which can cause
problems for the liver, kidneys and lungs, resulting in organ
failure. Most dogs which are infected with heartworms will not
show any outward signs of disease for as long as up to two
years. Sadly, by the time the disease starts to show signs in
the dog, it is in the advanced stage. These signs depend on
several factors, such as the number of adult worms and
microfilariae present, as well as their location. The length of
time the infection has been present, and the amount of damage
already done to the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys are all
essential factors.

Signs of Heartworm Infestation

The most obvious outward signs of heartworms are: Unexplained
weight loss.

A dry almost constant cough with labored breathing.

Shortness of breath.

Sudden weakness.

A sudden show of nervousness or listlessness, accompanied by a
loss of stamina. The signs of heartworms are most noticeable
after the dog has been engaged in exercise or play. Some dogs
with heartworms may even faint or drop dead suddenly right after
engaging in rigorous play or exercise.

Treatment for heartworms is available but it is costly and in
some cases may prove fatal to the dog itself. To prevent this
horrible disease in your Pit Bull, be sure to keep your dog’s
regular vet appointments. Heartworms can be prevented easily by
administering heartworm medication to your pet each month.

As always, talk to your vet if you have any concerns that your
dog may have heartworms, and never try to treat the disease on
your own. Always consult a properly qualified professional
before starting any type of treatments on your dog.