What is Heartworm?
Heartworm is a disease usually found in dogs and some cats. It is a parasitic
worm that can cause extreme damage to a dog's body and they get the worms
through contact with mosquitoes. While dogs are the primary hosts for this
parasite, it has been known for cats to have heartworm and even some humans,
but on a very rare occasion. They are actual worm parasites that live in the
dog's heart, arteries and lungs and they have a life span of six to seven
months - plenty of time to do a great deal of damage.
How do Dogs Get Heartworm?
Again, heartworm is spread through contact with mosquitoes so it is outdoor
dogs that are the most afflicted by heartworm diseases. Infected mosquitoes
bite the dog, but in the process they deposit heartworm larvae into the dog's
coat. From there, the larvae tunnels into the dog's skin and grows into the
worm-like parasite that they appear to be and they can get rather big; some
heartworms have been discovered to be a foot long! They multiply and create
more heartworms that live in a dog's blood vessels and they can be there for
years, causing extreme problems with blood circulation and the lungs.
The problem with heartworm is that it can get very bad before it ever shows its
ugly head to a human owner. This means that your dog could be afflicted with
heartworm and you would never know it, perhaps until it is nearly too late for
them. Depending on the health of your dog, the number of heartworms, where they
have infected and how long they have been there, a dog can be fatally ill with
heartworm disease if they are not checked and treated thoroughly. Signs of
heartworm disease in dogs include fainting, severe weight loss, heavy or short
breathing, loss of appetite or energy, nervousness and coughing. Heart failure
is also a sign of heartworm, although it is one of the terminal ones that may
contribute to death from these nasty parasites.
You Can Help Your Dog
Your veterinarian should have heartworm preventative pills for your pet and
they can test your dog and find out whether or not he is infected with the
parasites. Most heartworm tests are included in a normal veterinarian visit as
it is. If your pet sees a veterinarian on a consistent basis, request for
heartworm pills and your dog should be fine. If they are infected, there are
methods of treatment as well and many of them do work, but preventing
heartworms in dogs is always much easier than treating them.
GOOGLE FOR MORE INFO.
SHANNA
