Heartworm Disease Symptoms
Dogs and cats can suffer from a wide array of illnesses and diseases; however, few are as severe as heartworms. Heartworms affect thousands of pets each year across the world, and most of the time, the condition leads to death. Heartworms can be treated, but the best option for your pet is to avoid them all together with a preventative medication.
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What are Heartworms
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Heartworms are a parasite similar to intestinal worms, which are common in pets, especially puppies and kittens. Unlike intestinal worms, heartworms infect the heart of the pet and can lead to death if not treated quickly. Heartworms are similar to spaghetti in their shape and thickness with length varying. Heartworms are fast spreading and can affect the way the heart and lungs of the animal work, leading to respiratory and circulatory distress. Heartworms are the most common in dogs and cats, though they can take up residence in other animals.
How are They Contracted
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Heartworms are contracted through the bite of a mosquito. Areas with an increased number of mosquitoes have a higher chance of having more infected canines than areas with a low mosquito population. When a mosquito that carries heartworms bites a dog or a cat, the worms are transmitted into the body. As the worms grow, they begin to overtake part of the heart and the lungs. The adult heartworms spawn small baby heartworms. If a mosquito bites an animal that is already infected with heartworms, they become a carrier and can then pass on the condition to another animal.
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Early Symptoms
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Heartworms are so devastating on the animal population because they cannot be detected in the same ways other conditions are. When diagnosing an illness in a dog or cat, the first step is generally a blood test; however, heartworms, especially those in the early stages, cannot be diagnosed using a blood test. Other conditions that affect dogs can be seen in the symptoms that present in the animal, but heartworms don't show any adverse affects on the animal until they are severe. For this reason, it's important that all dogs and cats be put on medication that prevents the parasites before they can take up residency in the heart and surrounding area.
Late Stage Symptomss
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As the size and number of worms increases, the animal is more apt to show symptoms of heartworms. The most common symptoms include trouble breathing, coughing, inability to exercise, tiredness or lethargy, fainting and distended abdomen, among others. A pet that experiences these symptoms should be treated immediately, though the chances for recovery are slim.
Prevention/Solution
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Treatment for heartworms is expensive and dangerous for your pet. To avoid costly vet bills or the loss of the animal, it's recommended that all cats and dogs be given a monthly dosage of heartworm medication. The medication is designed to prevent the parasites from being contracted. Animals should be started on preventative care when they are small and should continue the monthly dosage throughout their lives. Pets that live indoors or outdoors should both be treated with the medication ,and any dog or cat that misses a dosage should be tested to ensure they have not become infected while not on the medication.
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