Dogs and Heartworms

It is surprising how many people are still confused about heartworms and the effects of your dog.

First we look at what heartworms are and how your dog can become infected.

Heartworm disease transmitted by mosquitoes into the dog's blood. The immature heartworms called microfilaria travel through the blood.

The microfilaria settle into the ventricles and major pulmonary arteries. This causes a blockage of blood flow and pathological changes in the surrounding tissue.

This blockage happens when the larvae grow into adult worms. An adult female heartworm can grow up to fourteen inches and can live as long as five years.

A female heartworm can produce thousands of microfilariae, which are transferred to a mosquito when it bites an infected dog, and then injected into the next dog that that mosquito Dines on.

What are the signs that a dog May have heartworms?

Usually the first system is weight loss. The dogs' hair may become dull and brittle.
The infected dog also may tier easily.

A persistent coughs and or labored breathing.

In more progressed cases victims may shed blood from ruptured lungs.

If the disease is not prevented or caught in time, the result will be a slow painful death from heart failure.

What should I do if my dog is infected?

Treatment is available but it can cost hundreds of dollars and can be inefficient, depending on the severity of the attack.

The best defense against heartworms is routine checking with your veterinarian. Does your dog heartworm medication once a month easily prevents heartworms.

Warning: You need your dog for heartworm Tested Before you start heartworm medicine!