Knowing Your Dog's Heartworm Signs and Symptoms
Knowing Your Dog's Heartworm Signs and Symptoms
Since its discovery in 1856, dog heartworm has been one of the most widespread diseases in the United States. Heartworms usually live in the dog's heart, blood vessels, and sometimes lungs. One of the biggest problems with heartworms is that they can hinder the function of the dog's heart. Heartworms may present problems such as weight loss, chronic coughing, vision problems, shortness of breath, and worse, chronic heart failure, blockages of the blood vessels, and even death.
What are some of the early signs/symptoms of dog Heartworm? Since signs and symptoms of heartworms can vary greatly from one dog to the next, it is best to take your pet to a veterinarian for a certain diagnosis. You need to know that in most instances, a dog will not show visible signs of the disease until it has advanced to the point that it can't be cured. Early detection is the key when it comes to heartworm treatment to give your dog the best chances of recovery.
Here is a list of some of the most common symptoms a dog with heartworms may exhibit. If you notice any of these in your dog, get him to your vet as soon as possible. - decreased stamina, or tiring out prematurely - has trouble breathing/gasping for breath - chronic cough that persists more than a few days - if it is a working dog, he/she can't hunt/work as well as usual, and/or collapses from being exhausted - seems like dog has trouble seeing, has convulsions or jaundice - dog becomes emaciated (very thin), this usually comes shortly before death
Can my Dog Get Heartworms? Yes, any dog can get heartworms. It was once believed that dogs with short hair were more likely to develop the disease. This was based on the thought that mosquitoes, which carry the worm, could not get through long hair as easily as they could short hair. This has been proven incorrect, however, as mosquitoes often attack the dog on its stomach, where there is much less hair. The ears and muzzle are also vulnerable areas that can be attacked by mosquitoes, thus allowing infection causing bites.
How can I treat my dog for heartworms? If you catch it early, heartworms may be treated by various chemicals. This type of treatment is risky, as the same chemicals used to kill heartworms is toxic to dogs. The chemicals are usually given in low doses over several weeks. If all heartworms were killed at once, they would end up in the lungs of the dog, most likely killing the dog. It is important that only a licensed veterinarian treat the dog with chemicals due to these risk factors. Besides the lethal chemicals, there is also a surgical option for removing the heartworms. Only your vet can determine if there is a need for invasive surgery, or if another option would be best for your dog. There are also medications that you can give your dog to treat/prevent an infestation of heartworms. These pills, or chewable tablets, are made to kill the heartworms already inside your dog before they can grow into healthy adult worms.
Do not depend on this medicine alone to keep your free from heartworms though. He/she can still develop heartworms during mosquito season, as mosquitoes are constantly looking for food sources. It is important for you to watch your dog closely during this time so you can catch the signs/symptoms early. Even though they can be beneficial, heartworm medications can still have drawbacks. For example, if your dog is already infested with heartworms, the medicine will not get rid of all the parasites. If you suspect your dog has a severe infestation, take him/her to your vet as soon as possible, as they can collect blood samples for testing and prescribe the correct medicine for your dog.
How Can I Prevent Dog Heartworms? As you know, mosquitoes are the ones responsible for giving your dog heartworms. If you live in an area that is prone to mosquitoes, try to keep your dog from being bitten in the first place. You may move your dog into a screened-in porch, keep your yard clean and grasses cut short, get rid of standing water in the yard, and use insect repellent sprays or dust on your pet. Ask your vet to prescribe any medicines he sees fit for your pet. You can also take your dog to the vet for regular blood testing to ensure he doesn't have heartworms. You must take great care in protecting your dog from this dangerous threat as symptoms of this parasitic infestation are not readily visible most of the time. Most vets agree that you and your pet will be better off getting an annual check-up verses only going to the vet once your dog shows symptoms of a disease.
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