Protecting against heartworm...

Dirofilaria immitis (Heartworm)

   Heartworm is A parasite that can infect the heart and lungs, heartworms pose a very serious threat to both indoor and outdoor dogs. Adult heartworms cause disease because they live in the right side of the heart and pulmonary arteries where they obstruct the flow of blood through the heart and to the rest of the body. Because heartworms can cause serious, fatal diseases, prevention and treatment of infected dogs are critical.

   Transmitted to dogs by mosquitoes that have fed off an animal that has heartworm disease, the Dirofilaria immitis larvae migrate through the body tissues until they enter the vascular system.  Within the bloodstream, they circulate and travel to the right side of the heart and pulmonary arteries. Here, they mature into the adult stage. The complete maturation of the heartworms, from larvae to adulthood, takes five to seven months. Dirofilaria immitis parasites can live for up to five years.  Adult heartworms can grow to be as long as 14 inches and up to 100 or more can be living at one time.

How can I tell if my pet has heartworms?

   Clinical signs include coughing, exercise intolerance, weakness, difficulty breathing, and fainting following exercise, if the dog is able to exercise at all. Eventually, congestive heart failure can develop, resulting in the backup of fluid within the abdomen and under the skin of the rear legs.  In severe cases, sudden death can occur following exercise.

What Treatment is available?

   Treatment is usually through medication and often is effective, but dogs with serious complications of the heart and lungs due to heartworm have a much more guarded prognosis for recovery.

What can I do protect my pet from heartworm?

   Prescription heartworm preventive medications such as interceptor that are properly administered are nearly 100 percent effective in preventing heartworm disease and will kill intestinal parasites that are present.