Pet Matters
Western Arizona Humane Society
Victoria Cowper,
Community Relations Manager
This is a regular column, presented every two weeks to provide information about pet and animal care, including the legal responsibilities of pet ownership. We invite you to send your questions to answer in upcoming issues.
Please send your questions and comments to the Today's News Herald or directly to me a W.A.H.S. 855-5083 or wahs@ctaz.com
Heartworm, What you need to know.
What is heartworm?
Heartworm is an insidious disease that has spread to virtually all parts of the US and many parts of Canada since the early 1970s. It is spread only by mosquitoes; thus, areas heavily populated by these insects tend to have a greater incidence of heartworm disease.
Heartworm can strike both dogs and cats, although it is much more commonly seen in dogs. As its name implies, heartworm lives in the blood of a dog's or cat's heart and adjacent blood vessels. The adult heartworms living in the heart produce
offspring, called microfilariae, which circulate in the infected animal's blood.
When a mosquito "bites" an infected pet, it sucks out blood containing the microfilariae. After about two weeks in the mosquito, the microfilariae become infective larvae. This step is necessary for the transmission of heartworm. When the mosquito bites another pet, the infective larvae are transmitted.
Can my dog get heartworm disease?
Yes. Your dog can get heartworm disease, whether he's an "outside" dog or even if he stays inside most of the time. Dogs get heartworm disease from
mosquitoes. It is the female mosquito that bites and transmits the infection.
Female mosquitoes are very tiny and can easily slip through cracks around
windows, doors or screens. Every dog can be at risk, indoors or out.
Are some dogs more susceptible than others?
Unfortunately, no dog, or breed of dog, is immune to heartworm disease. The mosquito that bites your dog could be carrying this common and deadly parasite. One bite from an infected mosquito is all it takes for your dog to become infected.
How can I know for sure if my dog already has heartworm?
The only way to know for sure is to have your family veterinarian examine
and test your dog. The procedure is quick and easy. But don't delay in calling
your veterinarian to arrange for a heartworm test. If your dog gets heartworm
disease, treatment can be dangerous for him and expensive for you.
Some common symptoms of heartworm are difficulty breathing, coughing, tires easily, listlessness, weight loss, and rough hair coat. In many cases, these are advanced symptoms. Some dogs do not appear to have symptoms in the early stages, others do. If not detected and controlled with proper treatment, heartworm can lead to congestive heart failure and death.
Today, with proper treatment, the majority of dogs with heartworm disease do survive.
When is the right time to get my dog tested?
Mosquitoes, the carriers of heartworm disease, can be found at varying times of the year depending on the climate. Ask your veterinarian when the best time is to have your dog tested.
How can I prevent my dog from getting heartworm disease in the future?"
If your veterinarian determines that your dog is free of heartworms, he or she will tell you how easy and convenient prevention can be. It's important to follow your veterinarian's instructions; if you don't, your dog could still be at risk. Remember, the first, most important step is to have your dog tested for heartworms.
What about my cat and heartworm?
Although heartworm is seen less frequently in cats, the disease poses a much greater danger. The outcome is often fatal.
There currently are no drugs approved for fighting heartworm in cats. Cats can be treated with canine medications, but this can lead to dangerous side effects, including lung failure and death. Another approach to battle the disease is by treating the
symptoms, with hopes of the cat outliving the worms (heartworms live within a cat for about two years). However, this approach can result in sudden death as the worms exit through the pulmonary arteries to the lungs.
There are no consistent clinical signs of heartworm in cats. Common clues include coughing and rapid breathing. Other signs include weight loss and vomiting. However, all of these signs are also common in other diseases. Diagnosis is difficult for
veterinarians and may include outside laboratory tests, radiographs, and ultrasound studies.
The good news is that there are heartworm prevention drugs available for cats. If you live in a heartworm infested area, or plan on visiting a heartworm area with your cat, your veterinarian can prescribe a preventive medication. These drugs are given once
monthly and are very effective in cats and kittens.
Research continues into all phases of heartworm disease. For the latest advice, consult your veterinarian.
The dedicated staff and volunteers at the Western Arizona Humane Society are happy to answer any questions, and help you make the "purr-fect" match for a new companion animal.
Previous Articles:
Valley Fever Dog Bite Prevention
Spay & NeuterAdopt a Cat
Pet Information On-Line Cat Myths
HeatFireworks
Cat Scratching