Symptoms and Treatment of Heartworm Disease in Dogs

Heartworm or Dirofilaria immitis is considered a parasite found in southern climate. It is now a recognized pest that affects different animals like dogs and cats. More than a hundred years ago, the discovery of heartworm disease paved way for experts to devise test, treatments and prevention however the spread can't be stopped. Based on the heartworm society, dogs have the highest infection rates especially those living in the area with large mosquito population.

There are few clinics that display information about heartworm like their life cycles. The worst thing with heartworm disease is that the heart is infested with worms. Preventing heartworm disease is simple. You just need to bring your dog to the vet and get a blood sample. This would determine if the parasite is present. If the test is positive, your dog will be given medication. Infestation of heartworms is dangerous. If left untreated, your dog would die. During the treatment, dogs will have to go through weeks of discomfort while the worms are killed and expelled from the body. In heartworm disease, mosquitoes are the main host. They bite the dog and discharge the eggs. This would then undergo changes until it travels through the veins to the heart. It would then reproduce. Adult heartworms can reach up to 12 inches. It can remain in the dog's body for years.

There are dogs that may have heartworms but not manifesting the disease. If the number of worms exceeded based on size and the activity level of the dog, then he or she would manifest the symptoms. Active dogs can experience symptoms even with lower number of worms. Adult worms go to the heart. Usually it will take several months after the initial infestation to show the symptoms. The first sign can be soft cough that is dismissed by the owner. The dog would eventually get weak, lose weight, faint and cough blood. As the disease progresses' breathing is very difficult. The quality of dog's life diminishes because of respiratory distress.

Heartworms can be detected through blood tests - filtration and occult. Both tests are preferred in order to confirm the presence of microfilariae. X-rays can detect the presence of heartworms in the heart and lungs. If the symptoms of the parasite have alerted the owners and a vet then treatment is possible and it could be successful provide it has not progressed that far. Evaluation of the dog is the first step. Secondary problems will be like heart failure, liver or kidney problems. Adult worms are killed using arsenic compound. Immiticide is a new medication with fewer side effects and much safer for dogs. This is administered for two days. The dog should be inactive for awhile for its system to absorb dead worms. After the drug kills the worms, further treatment is needed to kill the eggs. Blood test is repeated to ensure there is no parasite left. Follow up should be done every year. If the dog has advanced heart problem, surgery is necessary to remove adult heartworms.