Sarah Southard, DVM
Pets and Livestock
With the heat of summer bearing down, the insects are loving life! Butterflies are adding beauty to our landscapes. Bees and wasps are buzzing around, terrifying children and adults alike. Mosquitoes are plentiful and are silently feasting away on the red blood cells of unsuspecting mammals. They may also be leaving behind a not-so-nice giftfor your pets.
Canine heartworm disease is a very serious, sometimes fatal disease that is widespread throughout the United States. Transmitted by infected mosquitoes, the microscopic infective larvae (an immature form of the parasite) continue their life cycle in the circulating blood of domestic dogs, where they mature into adult worms up to 12 inches long. These adult heartworms take up residence in the right atrium, the first chamber of the heart. As the infection progresses, heartworms may also occupy other chambers of the heart, the pulmonary arteries, and the lungs.
While the infection may be treatable, treatment for heartworm disease does not come without risks. Also, the damage that is done to the heart, lungs, and pulmonary arteries by the presence of the worms is permanent. Even after the worms are gone, scar tissue remains which decreases the ability of the heart and lungs to function as they should.
But my dog can’t live in a bubble! How can I protect them?
Be certain that your pup is examined by a veterinarian at least once every year. A routine physical exam along with diagnostic testing performed at least once yearly is just as important for our pets as it is for us. Testing for heartworm infection takes only a small sample of blood and about 15 minutes to perform. The American Heartworm Society recommends that all dogs receive a heartworm preventive year-round and that all dogs are tested for heartworm disease every year.
Why do I need to retest if my dog has had no lapse in heartworm preventive coverage?
Just as in human medicine, animal drugs are not always 100 percent effective. While it is very rare, it can happen that a dog continually on a preventive might still develop a heartworm infection. Also, if a dog has an undiagnosed heartworm infection and is prescribed certain of the preventive medications, it can lead to the death of the dog. It is always best to err on the side of caution, especially when the testing procedure is fairly simple. Talk with your veterinarian about the proper testing schedule for your dog and the preventive medication that best fits your needs.
What should I do if my dog is diagnosed with heartworm disease?
In the unfortunate event that your dog is diagnosed with heartworm disease, discuss the available treatment options with your veterinarian. Some require a period of hospitalization and monitoring. Others can be managed on an outpatient basis. All treatment options require strict adherence to the proper medication administration schedules and strict adherence to all recommended exercise restrictions for your pet. Follow-up testing will be needed periodically to determine when an infected dog is heartworm-free and is safe to switch to a routine heartworm preventive medication and schedule.
Ensuring that your canine family members receive proper heartworm testing and prevention on a proper schedule is one more way to protect their health and provide the best opportunity for a long and happy life!
Uninvited Guests Disclaimer: Surry Living does not provide medical or behavioral advice. The contents of this magazine, including text, graphics, images and other material, are intended for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or other qualified animal healthcare provider with any questions that you may have regarding the medical condition of your pet. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something that you have read in Surry Living Magazine.
