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Veterinary
Q & A: Heartworm Disease
Protect
your pet from this insidious disease
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Q & A topics.
WHAT ARE
HEARTWORMS?
Heartworms are large worms that live in the hearts of dogs and cats. They
are also found in other species, including ferrets, foxes, wolves, sea
lions, and horses. Dogs are the common host for this parasite. This worm
is also known as Dirofilaria Immitis. It is a long, spaghetti-like worm
that can be anywhere from 6 to 10 inches in length (~17 - 27 cm).
HOW ARE
HEARTWORMS TRANSMITTED?
In addition to the animal 'host', heartworms need a mosquito
to complete their life cycle.
1)
A mosquito bites a heartworm-infected animal.2)
The mosquito is then carrying microscopic versions of the heartworm,
called microfilariae.
3) When the mosquito bites another dog or cat, that animal is now
infected with the heartworm microfilariae.4)
Within 70 to 90 days, the microfilariae have made it through the tissues
to the animal's heart, where they reproduce (providing both male and
female worms are present) and live for several years. If both sexes
of worms are present, they will be producing their own little microfilariae
within 6 - 7 months after that mosquito bite.5)
The cycle continues.
WHAT
ARE THE SIGNS OF HEARTWORM?
The signs vary according to number of worms present, stage
of life cycle, age and species of host. The heartworms live primarily
in the right side of the heart and lung, and can cause significant damage
and even death. Here are some general signs for the most common hosts,
dogs and cats.
DOG
- possible heartworm signs.
Acute disease - usually no clinical signs (the dog just acquired
the disease)
Mild to moderate - cough, reluctance/inability to exercise
Severe - marked shortness of breath, coughing, fainting episodes,
weight loss, fever, abdominal swelling (ascites),
death. CAT
- possible heartworm signs
The signs of heartworm disease are different in the cat than the dog.
Cats can present with sudden death (no other signs) or can live with
the disease free of clinical signs. Most commonly, heartworm disease
in the cat mimics feline asthma - coughing and difficulty breathing.
Vomiting can be another sign of feline heartworm disease (vomiting
is a common sign in many feline diseases).
COULD
MY DOG OR CAT AT RISK?
Yes, depending on your geographic location and climate.
Heartworm disease is now worldwide, and mosquitoes are too.
DIAGNOSIS
Diagnosis is most commonly done by a blood test in your Veterinarian's
office. Additionally, x-ray, ultrasounds, or other tests may be performed.
TREATMENT
Treatment for heartworm is not without some risk. Bloods tests
are used to assess kidney and liver function before initiating treatment.
The worms are killed slowly, so as not to cause a sudden blockage in the
heart or lungs, and the patient must be kept quiet. The next phase is
medication to kill the remaining microfilariae.
HEARTWORM PREVENTION >>>
Continued
Page 1, 2
Text: Copyright © Janet Tobiassen Crosby. All rights reserved.
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