Do Heartworms Cause Vomiting?
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Symptoms
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Heartworms enter a dog's body when the dog is bitten by a carrier mosquito. Baby heartworms, or microfilariae, are passed on by the mosquito and work their way through the dog's bloodstream and into its heart and lungs, remaining there as they mature into large worms. They don't enter the digestive system, and so do not cause vomiting. Typical symptoms of heartworms are anemia, coughing and general weakness, rather than distress in the digestive system.
Treatment
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Treatment for heartworms in dogs is dangerous, and it can cause vomiting. The dog is injected with drugs to kill all of the worms, as well as any microfilariae. The dead worms have to be passed out of the dog's body, as do the drug by-products, and because the drugs are so powerful, it's common for a dog to vomit after administration. The nausea may continue and the dog's appetite may decrease during the treatment period, which usually lasts for several weeks, during which the dog will be given two to four shots. The vomiting will subside when the treatment is done.
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Prevention
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Many dog owners give their pets oral medication to prevent heartworm. Most dogs tolerate the preventive medication very well, but in rare cases it may upset a dog's stomach and cause vomiting. Your veterinarian can recommend an alternate medication if this happens, or use another form of administration such as an injection.
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Resources
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