Heartworm Treatment for Australian Shepherds

As dogs that need a lot of outdoor time, Australian shepherds are at risk for heartworm.

Australian shepherds are popular pets in the U.S. and worldwide. As large herding dogs, they require plenty of outdoor time and exercise. That outdoor time can put them at risk for heartworm, which is passed on by infected mosquitoes and attacks an Aussie's heart. Left untreated, heartworm causes congestive heart failure and death. Treatments are stressful but successful in saving a dog's life.

The Facts--Heartworm

Heartworm is a parasite in the roundworm family. These worms live and breed in a dog's heart and pulmonary arteries. The worms live inside the heart but can extend through valves and arteries and seriously impede the heart's function. They can reproduce heavily enough to clog the arteries of the heart.

Symptoms and Effects

Symptoms of an Aussie with heartworm include loss of body weight, cough, shortness of breath, dropsy, muscular weakness, vision problems and chronic heart problems. Because heartworms disrupt the function of an Aussie's heart, this condition is fatal unless treated quickly.

Treatment--Medical

Only a veterinarian can diagnose heartworm, as it is usually obvious only once the problem is advanced. Vets treat secondary issues like heart failure and organ problems immediately upon diagnosis. The medicine for heartworm is arsenic based, and only healthy dogs can handle it. The vet injects medication into a dog's lower back muscles on a weekly basis, with the goal of poisoning the heartworms. In very serious cases that aren't responding to medication, vets may recommend surgical removal of the worms.

Treatment--Lifestyle

An Aussie with heartworm can be successfully cured through medicine, but should also live a quieter, more sheltered lifestyle. The condition, and its treatment, make the dog fatigued and short of breath. An Aussie with a compromised heart will also be more vulnerable to secondary conditions like infection and illness. Protect the dog from cold, feed it a high-nutrition diet for strength and watch carefully for signs of secondary problems.

Prevention

Check dogs that have consistent access to the outdoors regularly for heartworm. Blood tests are a precise and dependable indicator of heartworms. Preventive medications keep heartworms from surviving in a dog's body. These medications come in tablet form to feed to dogs once a month.

References

• Pet Education: Heartworm Infection and Prevention in Dogs
• Web MD: Heartworm in Dogs: Facts and Myths
• Dog Owners Guide: Heartworm Disease
• Dog Heartworm Guide