As pet owners, we are well aware of the dangers of heartworm and how those nasty little parasites can seriously threaten the lives of our dogs and cats. Being constantly aware of this, veterinarians do everything they can to spread the word about heartworm to both new and seasoned pet owners. Sometimes, however, we hear about it so often that we become immune. We do not stop and think about the danger our pets could be in if it is not caught and treated.
Although we have been aware of it for over a hundred years, heartworms are still prevalent throughout the United States and the rest of the world. In fact, veterinarians in previously unaffected areas of the U.S., such as Oregon, California, and Arizona, are starting to see cases of heartworm. This is because desert areas that had been inhospitable before are now livable due to irrigation and buildings.
Heartworms can only be transmitted through an infected mosquito. Once the infected mosquito bites a dog or cat, the heartworm larvae enter into the animal's bloodstream via the mosquito bite. Over the course of the next several months the heartworm larvae mature into adult heartworms. Once they reach adulthood, the heartworms lodge themselves in the heart, lungs and surrounding blood vessels where they begin to reproduce. These adult worms can be as long as twelve to fourteen inches and live anywhere from 5-7 years in dogs, and 2-3 years in cats. Amazingly, a dog infected with heartworms can have as many as 250 worms in his system.
With so many parasites in your pet's body at once, it should be no surprise that without treatment, the heartworms will eventually start to take a toll on your pet's health. Since symptoms are rarely noticeable during the early stages of heartworm, it is important to take preventative measures to safeguard your dog or cat against these (and other) worms from the start. Fortunately, if caught and treated early on, most dogs recover from the worms.
Signs your dog may have heartworms:
• A mild, persistent cough
• Lack of interest in exercise or movement
• Easily tired
• Decrease in appetite
• Weight loss
Signs your cat may have heartworms:
• Vomiting and gagging
• Difficulty breathing, or rapid breathing
• Weight loss
• Lack of energy
Once infected, your veterinarian will need to test your dog or cat to determine the severity of the worms. Currently there is no effective treatment for heartworms in cats, so be sure to take preventative measures with your felines. Fortunately, cats tend to be less susceptible to heartworms than dogs, sometimes expelling them spontaneously on their own; however, their reaction to the dead worms can be severe, requiring their vet to treat them with supportive therapy measures. Additionally, some cats have severe allergies to heartworms and even just a few can cause their death.
Dogs, on the other hand, typically need to undergo treatment involving two to three arsenic-based injections that will kill all the worms. After the treatment, the heartworms will start to die, breaking into pieces. During the treatment, and for the next several months afterwards, dogs need to refrain from any vigorous exercise since the pieces of dead heartworm can cause a blockage of the pulmonary vessels and even the dog's death.
Considering the lack of treatment options in cats, and the toll it takes on the health and bodies of both cats and dogs, it is far simpler, and safer, to routinely give your pet a heartworm preventative. Depending on your preference, you can give your pet a pill or tablet every month, take him into the vet for an injection every six months, or even use a monthly topical product that you put on his skin. All three methods are considered highly effective and are your pet's best defense against heartworms. The American Heartworm Society recommends year-round treatment since many of today's preventatives include an intestinal parasite control for other parasites, such as roundworms, whipworms, and tapeworms—all three of which you want to prevent as well.
Heartworms are a devastating infection that can wreak havoc on your pet's health and threaten his life if left untreated. With treatments costing up to $1,000, including all the prep work, it is especially important to have pet insurance. Even if you keep your pet on a heartworm preventative medicine year-round, there are plenty of other health issues and medical emergencies that can happen when you least expect them. Prevention and protection is the key to keeping your pet happy, healthy and safe, as well as maintaining your ability to be a responsible pet parent.
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