Identifying Heartworm Symptoms In Dogs And The Importance Of Pre-Treating
Many people believe that heartworms are an infestation that dogs can catch from other dogs or from eating things off the ground that have been infected. This is not the case. Heartworms are caused by mosquitoes who carry the larvae of heartworms and infect the dog when they bite it. When heartworm symptoms in dogs becomes noticable the dog usually has had the infestation for a long period of time.
Protecting a pet from heartworm infestation is relatively inexpensive and easy to do. There are many treatments available from the vet that can be applied to protect a pet. In addition, there are injections that can be given when a dog has it’s yearly health check that will protect it from infestation.
The types of medications that are available to figure heartworm infestation vary. Some of the medications can be given as an injection and are needed only once a year. Other treatments require regular application of creams or ointments. In some cases dogs are given pills to take that will kill that heartworm larvae and protect the animal from infestation.
Mosquitoes breed in any area that has standing water. This can be a long standing puddle or well as well as riverbanks where the water does not move. It is important that if an individual lives in an area where there may be standing water or a pool that they take extra precautions to protect their pet.
By the time heartworm symptoms in dogs begins to be visible the parasite has established itself throughout the dog’s bloodstream. Heartworms can exist in a dog for several years without any symptoms occurring. It is only when they begin to clog the heart that symptoms will show. This is why treatment of heartworms once the symptoms appear can be so costly and often futile.
One of the main symptoms that a dog will show when the heartworms have clogged the heart is coughing. The cough will not sound like kennel cough but be more raspy as thought the dog is gasping for air while coughing. A dog may cough so hard that they will cough up blood or pass out in the middle of coughing.
Another symptom is shortness of breath. While the heartworms invade the heart, they also invade the other organs of the body. By the time symptoms occur the heartworms are usually lodged in the lungs as well as this makes it difficult for the dog to breathe normally. When they breathe it will sound very thready and uneven.
As the heartworms accumulate in the blood stream the flow of blood to the organs and the brain is severely decreased. This can cause a dog to be lethargic and unable to function or be active without falling down or coughing. By this time a pet will also be unable to walk any distance, will not be able to run, and will need to be lifted or carried up stairs.
Immediate assistance from a vet will include x-rays and diagnosis to determine the extent of the infestation. The vet will treat the dog for several weeks with medication and treatment. Follow-up treatment is usually required for several months and the dog must be kept quite as recovery takes place. The treatment once infestation has reached the point that symptoms are visible can be very expensive.
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