Heartworm disease in dogs is caused by a parasite and is transferred by mosquitoes. Canines act as hosts/carriers, although other species like cats, raccoons, muskrats, bears, ferrets and sea lions can become infected, also. The disease is completely preventable with vet-prescribed medication.
Unprotected dogs in mosquito-infested areas are at risk.
Many dogs show no symptoms, early on, so they must have a blood test that shows negative for heartworm disease before medication can be begun.
Symptoms:
* Coughing
* Tiring more easily after exercise; may collapse or faint
* Bloody sputum; heavy breathing
* Finally, the dog could show signs of an enlarged abdomen due to heart failure. Untreated dogs can die.
Life Cycle of Heartworms (AMAH):
A host dog carries heartworms in the right side of the heart and lung arteries.
Female heartworms release microscopic larvae (microfilariae) into the dog’s blood. (1st stage)
A mosquito bites the host dog and ingests the microfilariae, which undergo two stages of development into a 3rd stage of infective larvae.
When the mosquito bites another dog, it injects the larvae into the bite.
In the 2nd dog, those larvae go through a couple more stages and migrate to the right side of the heart and lung arteries where they mature to adults. Some stay in the blood as first stage larvae, making that dog a host.
The complete cycle takes 7 to 9 months.
Testing and treatment:
The microfiliae can be detected in the dog’s blood. If a dog tests positive, (s)he must be treated with injections to kill the adult worms. Then, more medication can be used to eliminate the microfilariae.
According to Lovetoknow.com, drugs must be given in a hospital setting under supervision.
Dr. Jon Rappaport from Petplace.com, describes a dog brought into the ER for late-stage heartworm disease. The animal almost died. He said the term “heartworm” is misleading because most dogs do not show worms within the heart, but the worms’ presence causes strain to the heart and blood vessels so the symptoms are associated as “heart worms.
Dr. Rappaport understated that vets hate to see dogs with preventable disease. Pet insurance would have covered some of the preventative care and tests for the condition and also would have covered the disease. Without insurance, this dog’s care would cost the owner about $1,500 to $2,000.
According to Pethealth101.com, monthly prevention would cost about $5 for a small dog and $7 for a large dog.
Heartworm preventive medications include Iverhart Plus, Heartgard, Heartgard Plus, Hartgard Chewables, Interceptor, Revolution, and Sentinel. Dr. Chiaramonte of the Animal Medical Center of NY said Ivermectin and milbemycin are often used, also, but some breeds cannot tolerate the latter drug.
Dogs most at risk:
According to Pethealth101, pets in the eastern U.S. and those living along rivers, those living outdoors and those living near standing water – where mosquitoes are most likely to be – are most at risk.
Your vet will be up on stats in your area. If (s)he recommends testing for heartworm, do your dog a favor and get it done. If your dog tests negative and you’re in a mosquito-area, consider prevention.
As always, your vet can advise you on the number of cases in your area and if (s)he recommends pills for prevention, take the advice. It is so much better than the cure.
Sources:
Dr. Jon Rappaport, vet since 1982 and CEO of Petplace.com. “This Deadly Disease Is Preventable: Protect Your Dog!” Http://www.petplace.com/ From Petplace “Dog Crazy Newsletter” e-mail dated 2-26-10.
“Heartworm Symptoms.” Retrieved 3-1-10. http://www.pethealth101.com/heartworm/heartworm_symptoms.shtml.
Dr. Deidre Chiaramonte, Animal Medical Center of NY. “Heartworm Symptoms” Q&A; in an interview by website editors, Kelly Roper and Debbie Vasen. Http://dogs.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Heartworm_Symptoms. Retrieved 3-1-10.
“Love May Not Be the Only Thing in Your Dog’s Heart,” by Angell Memorial Animal Hospital. www.petplace.com. Retrieved 3-1-10.
