Dog’s heartworm can be prevented

Signs of spring are upon us. Tulips and crocuses start popping up and the cold weather has a hint of warmth. My neighbors are out in their yards raking their grass. And, last week, I took my dog Kasey to the veterinarian for his heartworm test.

The American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Heartworm Society (heartwormsociety.org) provide information about the parasite and heartworm disease. According to both organizations, heartworm is a preventable, but serious and potentially fatal, parasite that primarily infects dogs, cats and ferrets.

Heartworm can only be transmitted from animal to animal by mosquitoes. When a mosquito bites an infected animal, young heartworms enter into that mosquito’s system. In the next two weeks, they develop into infective larvae inside the mosquito. Then the mosquito bites another dog or cat and the infected larvae enter through the bite wound.

Both organizations report heartworms are a potential threat in every state, as well as in many countries around the world. The AVMA notes all dogs, regardless of age, sex or living environment, are susceptible to heartworm infection.

Heartworms develop invisibly within the dog. The infective larvae mature into adult heartworms in approximately six months. The larvae migrate through the animal’s body, eventually reaching the blood vessels of the lungs. The immature worms continue to develop and grow into adults, with females growing to lengths of 14 inches.

The heartworms damage blood vessels and reduce the heart’s pumping ability. When the animal shows signs of illness due to adult heartworm infection, it’s called heartworm disease. In dogs, adult heartworms can live for up to 7 years.

If a dog is recently or mildly infected with heartworms, he may not show any signs of illness until the adult worms have developed in his lungs and signs of heartworm disease are observed. These signs include a mild, persistent cough; reluctance to move or exercise; lethargy, fatigue after only moderate exercise; reduced appetite; weight loss; and difficulty breathing. The presence of heartworms in the vital blood vessels of the lungs can even cause death.

The AVMA reports there are numerous diagnostic tests available for your veterinarian to detect the presence of adult heartworm infection in your dog. Antigen tests detect the presence of adult female heartworms and antibody tests determine if your pet has been exposed to heartworms. The antigen test is most commonly performed and is very accurate in dogs.

There is an FDA-approved treatment available if your dog becomes infected with heartworms, as noted by the AVMA. There is substantial risk involved in treating a dog for heartworms; however, serious complications are much less likely in dogs that are in good health and when veterinarians’ instructions are followed carefully.

The goal of heartworm treatment is to kill the heartworms present in your dog as safely as possible. When a dog is treated, it is important to consider heartworms are dying inside the dog’s lungs. Therefore, while your dog is treated, he will require complete rest throughout hospitalization and for some time following the last treatment.

Also, other medications may be necessary to help control the body’s inflammatory reaction as the worms die and are broken down in the dog’s lungs.

Both the AVMA and the AHS report heartworm infection is almost 100 percent preventable. There are several FDA-approved heartworm preventives available, including daily and monthly tablets and chewables and other formulations. Your veterinarian can recommend the best method of prevention based upon your dog’s risk factors and lifestyle.

The AHS sums it up: “Heartworms. Agonizing to Treat. Easy to Prevent.”

If you haven’t already done it, get your dog tested and get the heartworm preventive. If you share your life with a dog, heartworm testing and giving him the prevention is a rite of spring.

Photos with the Easter BunnyThe Buddy Foundation is celebrating spring and Easter with Photos with the Easter Bunny from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 16, at the shelter, 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights. There is a $6 donation per picture printed. There also will be an egg hunt, raffles, bake sale and the #147;Adoption Eggstravaganza.#148; Bring your pets and children to the festivities. AdoptablesJack and Jill are a Buddy Pair. Both are Chihuahuas and are about 1 year old. Jack is male, and his weight is unknown, but he#146;s small. Jill is female and weighs about 10 pounds. Little Mister is a male Pomeranian. He#146;s about 10 years old and weighs about 9 pounds.Ÿ Contact The Buddy Foundation at (847) 290-5806; visit us at 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights; or online at thebuddyfoundation.org. 1200968Jill 12001200Little Mister