Unless protected, dogs and cats of all ages can be harmed by a variety of parasitic infections:
Heartworms – Parasitic worms that live in the Canine Heart (cases of Feline Heartworm are growing as well)
Intestinal Parasites – Hookworms, Roundworms, & Tapeworms
External Parasites – Fleas, Ticks, Mites
In this page, Luv My Pet will provide you will both basic and specific information regarding Canine Heartworms.
Basics
Mosquitoes carry and transmit Heartworms. When a mosquito bites a dog to suck a blood meal, the heartworm
larva (babies) crawl down the sucking mouthpart of the mosquito into the dog's skin. From there, it burrows its
way to a blood vessel to enter the blood stream (circulatory system). The baby Heartworms end up in the heart,
and over the next 6 months develop into long skinny, spaghetti like worms, about 12 inches long. These
worms physically are like a ball of worms, or mass of worms in the heart, taking up space, and interfering with
pumping blood. Therefore, the mass causes heart failure over the years. Dogs not treated usually die from this disease.
Heartworms are most common in Southern hot areas of the United States, where mosquitoes are not killed off during the winter,
because there are no harsh, snow-laden months. Canine heartworm disease can be prevented by giving heartworm prevention
all year round to dogs, and to cats as well. Types of heartworm prevention are Interceptor, Heartgard, and Sentinel.
These preventatives will be covered more in depth in the Product List Section (under Products tab).
Specifics
Heartworm disease is caused by infection with Dirofilaria immitis, which is carried by mosquitoes. The baby Heartworms
(microfilaria) find their way to the heart, and develop there over the next 6 months into 12-14 inch long mature Heartworms.
There are male and female Heartworms that breed and produce more baby Heartworms to be picked up by a mosquito sucking a blood
meal and spread to the next animal. Virtually 100% of unprotected dogs living in endemic areas can be affected. Infection can
occur at any age, but most often effected animals are 3-8 years old. Because of the size and number of Heartworms present in
an infected dog's heart, the heart can not function properly, leading to heart failure, and eventually death if not treated.
Clinical signs of heartworm disease are: coughing, exercise intolerance, weight loss, syncope, and ascites (in severely effected dogs).
Treatment requires a hospital stay, and can be expensive. Asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic dogs have a good prognosis for
successful treatment and cure. There can be a guarded prognosis for severely affected dogs.
Since infection with Heartworms can lead to either an expensive vet bill, or death if not treated, prevention of heartworm disease
is recommended. There are several types of preventative available. Heartgard and Interceptor are the monthly preventative options.
Luv My Pet recommends Interceptor, but can provide Heartgard if a pet owner will not choose Interceptor. Interceptor is given monthly
according to the weight of the dog, and prevents Heartworms while controlling hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms
in the intestines. Heartgard is also given monthly, and controls hookworms and roundworms in the intestines.
See related topics:
Heartworm Testing,
Heartworm Preventatives, &
Heartworm Medicine Prices
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