One
of the biggest threats to your dog during the summer is heartworm.
Heartworm is a parasite that easily transmittable from one pet to
another via mosquito bites. If you have a dog, you need to understand
how your dog can get heartworm, how to protect your dog from
heartworm, and how to treat your dog if they contract the heartworm
parasite.
1.
Heartworm Transmission
When
you hear the word heartworm, you might image imagine a big worm
wiggling its way into your dog's body. The truth is that heartworms
are tiny creatures that you cannot see just by looking at your dog.
Mosquitos
are well-known transmitters of various diseases. When a mosquito
bites an infected animal, they suck up the heartworm larvae as they
feed on their prey. The larva stays inside the mosquito, developing
and growing.
When
the mosquito moves on and bites a new animal, the heartworm larvae go
into that animal's bloodstream. The larva continues to grow inside
the host animal until they reach the heart and lungs, where they grow
into adulthood and start their damaging process all over.
2.
Heartworm Diagnosis
Heartworms
are a nasty parasite; the impact of heartworm on your dog can take a
while to show. That is why the diagnostic test involves a series of
tests, including a blood antigen test, blood antibody test, an
echocardiogram, and chest radiographs to confirm your dog has
heartworm.
Dogs
infected with heartworm often lack the energy to participate in
everyday life and lose their appetite as well. As things get worse,
your dog can experience serious consequences such as heart failure.
Heartworm, when left untreated, can be fatal.
3.
Heartworm Treatment
Once
your dog has heartworm, the treatment process is lengthy. Special
injections kill all the heartworms inside your dog's body slowly.
Treating
heartworm is not an easy process. Heartworm is often not diagnosed
until it has done severe damage to your dog's heart and lungs. The
treatment process usually includes the need for a supervised stay at
a pet hospital to monitor and take care of side issues that have
developed because of having heartworm.
4.
Heartworm Prevention
Heartworm
can be fatal to your dog and can harm your dog's health even if they
make it through treatment for heartworm.
The
best thing you can do is prevent your dog from getting heartworm in
the first place. Heartworm prevention requires you to be proactive.
Numerous
methods prevent heartworm. You can give your dog a chewable pill
every month. Or you can apply a topical medication to your dog's skin
to keep the mosquitoes away. These are the two easiest ways to
provide your dog with heartworm protection. You can also give your
dog an injectable every month that will protect them from heartworm.
You
can also take steps to reduce mosquitos around your property. You can
get rid of stagnant water around your home. Or you can plant
rosemary, marigolds, or catnip — all plants that help keep
mosquitos away. Or you can have a professional come out and spray to
keep mosquitoes away from your home.
Treating
your dog with preventative heartworm medication and taking steps to
keep mosquitos away from your home are two of the best ways to ensure
your dog does not contract the heartworm parasite.
Schedule
an appointment with us to discuss how to protect your dog from
contracting the heartworm parasite. Give us a call at Angel
Pet Hospital
,
and we will get you in as quick as possible and come up with a plan
to keep your dog safe. We look forward to seeing you and your
pet.
