Heartworm - Disease Prevention And Medication

     Dogs may suffer from a life threatening condition called Heartworm disease. This condition is characterized by the presence of parasitic worms in the body. The condition will not only indirectly affect the functioning of organs of the body but it also may invade the heart and the lungs of dogs. When this happens, the condition is considered serious.

Luckily, there are treatment options that are easily available these days.

For pet owners to be able to seek medical help, they need to be aware of what signs they should be wary about when manifested by their pets. Since the parasites can affect the heart and lungs, most of the signs are also related to these body parts.

There may be coughing, with some instances that pets can cough up blood. Also, pets can have activity intolerance. This can vary in intensity where some won't be able to tolerate running for a few meters while some only after they have run a significant distance. But, it may be noticeable that the pet's tolerance to activity is lower than what it manifests before.

When inspecting closely, the owner may notice that the dog looks pale or have a bluish tinge especially on the extremities. This is a result of inadequate circulation on the distal parts of the body as there is a disturbance in the function of the heart. Other signs that may be manifested include irregularities in respirations, nose bleeding, fainting, and weight loss.

When you have seen these signs in your pet, you need to seek the help of a veterinarian. Diagnosis of the condition will be done with the performance of a blood test. If positive, the blood of your pet will have the presence of antigens that are related to that certain worm. Sometimes, ultrasonography or X-ray imaging might be performed to confirm the presence of such worms.

When heartworm is confirmed, treatment options will focus on the use of medications. These medications are used to kill adult worms that are present in the bloodstream. Examples of medications that may be used include Ivermectin, Milbemycin Oxime, Selamectin, or Moxidectin.

In some severe cases where there is severe impairment and damage to the body of the pet, surgery may be required to remove the worms where they cause most damage. Surgery is usually done when worms have invaded the blood vessels causing serious impairment in blood circulation.

In order to prevent the condition from happening again, medications are also used to make sure that there are no worms that grow inside the body. While treatment medications kill adult worms, medications for prevention target the larvae of worms.

Your veterinarian will be able to properly assess your dog and determine what medication can be used to protect it from worms that cause Heartworm disease. Before starting the regimen for prevention of heartworm, it should be established that your dog does not have a full blown condition. These preventive measures can be started on very young dogs without checking if they have the disease. Dosing is done annually in most cases to ensure effectiveness.