Heartworm is common in dogs, wolves, foxes, and coyotes. These canids are the most common hosts for heartworms, but the disease can also affect cats and ferrets. Heartworm disease is dangerous and can cause heart failure, organ damage, lung disease, and death in pets.

 

Although treatment is available for heartworm disease, early detection and prevention are the best ways to deal with heartworms. 

 

What Are Heartworms?

Heartworms are worms that cause serious illnesses in pets. Tiny and thread-like, they spread through mosquito bites. If a mosquito bites an infected animal, the remains on the mosquito's mouth transfer the immature heartworms to an uninfected animal. With about six months to mature, they can live inside the dog's heart for seven years.

 

During this period, they grow in length and give rise to offspring. After a year, a dog may carry hundreds of heartworms and begin to experience swelling in the arteries, heart, and lungs. Presently, there is no way to know if a mosquito is carrying heartworms. This is why prevention is very crucial.

 

Testing for Heartworms

Usually, a blood test can reveal the presence of heartworms. The vet tests the blood for foreign substances even if there is no proof of heartworms.

 

If the vet diagnoses your pet with heartworms through a blood test, they will carry out other tests to ensure that your pet can safely go through treatment. These additional tests include radiographs, ultrasounds, and echocardiography to check for any abnormalities in your pet's heart.

 

Should You Test Your Pet for Heartworms?

Yes, you should test your pet for heartworms every year, even if your pet is already on prevention medication for heartworms. Also, you should take your pet for testing if you notice the following signs:

 

• Constant coughs

• Inability to do light exercises like walking

• Abnormal sounds from the lungs

• Loss of appetite.

• Weight loss

• Swollen tummy

• Labored breathing

• Pale gums

• Dark-colored urine
  
   

Treating Heartworm Disease

If your pet tests positive for heartworms, the vet will prescribe the following measures to ensure that medical treatment is necessary.

 

Limiting Activity

If your pet is active, limiting activity can be difficult. However, exhaustion from too much activity will only increase damage to the heart and lungs. Constraining your pet in a crate may be essential.

 

Stabilizing the Disease

If your pet shows severe symptoms or other health conditions, your vet will begin basic treatment to ease the illness.

 

Administering Medications

The medicine that the FDA approves for treating heartworms is melarsomine dihydrochloride. It is available under the brand names Diroban and Immiticide. The medication is only administered once your vet determines that your pet is ready and stable for it.

 

Can You Get Heartworms from Your Dog?

No. Heartworms are only transferred by mosquitos. In rare cases, mosquitos have transferred heartworms to people, but the worms do not complete their cycles. They only cause round abrasions in the lungs that resemble tumors. But these are extremely rare instances.

 

To learn more about heartworm testing and treatment, contact Dr. J Personal Vet in Atlanta, Georgia at (855)-738-7437 and book an appointment today.