Symptoms of Heartworms in Dogs

Your dog is susceptible to heartworms no matter where you and your dog live. Hearworms do not discriminate between ages, genders or breeds when they infect the heart and lungs of your pet. Heartworm infection is difficult to detect in the earlier stages. Only when your dog has been living with the disease for many months can you usually see the following symptoms.

Coughing

The most indicative sign is a prolonged and chronic cough. A cough that lasts for days and weeks is not normal in your dog.

Abnormal Lung Sounds

Since heartworms affect the lungs, a sign of their presence is a crackling sound in the lungs. Your dog will have labored breathing and its intakes of air will be raspy.

Inability to Exercise

Because your pooch is having a hard time getting air into its lungs, it will also have a miserable time trying to exercise. If your once playful dog is suddenly unwilling to romp or tires faster than normal, it could be evidence of heartworms.

Change in Eating Habits

The most obvious sign that something is wrong with your dog is if it is reluctant to eat. Normally, dogs are steady eaters, so if this changes, it could be a symptom of heartworms.

Weight Loss

If you pet is eating normally but seems to be shedding pounds quickly, this is a symptom that something is wrong.

References

• American Heartworm Society

Resources

• Know Heartworms