Canine Heartworm Disease Articles / Current Pet News Posted by Dr. Peay on Aug 18, 2002 - 12:04 PM |
Canine Heartworm DiseaseWhat is Canine heartworm disease? Canine heartworm disease is transmitted by infected mosquitoes. Once a dog has been infected, heartworm larvae make their way to the dog's heart and pulmonary arteries. There they mature and can grow up to 14 inches in length. Heartworms can cause significant damage to the heart and lungs, eventually affecting other organs. If left untreated, heartworms can be fatal. What are the warning signs of heartworm disease? Signs of heartworm disease can include a chronic cough, loss of appetite, weight loss, difficulty breathing and fatigue. These signs, however, generally do not appear until the disease is well advanced, by which time severe damage may have occurred. Can infected dogs be treated? Effective treatment is available. However, it is complex, expensive and risky, particularly once the disease becomes more advanced. If your dog is not already on a heartworm preventative program, it's important to have him tested and his heartworm status determined. How can I prevent Heartworm Disease? There are several different types of heartworm preventative available from your veterinarian. (Any dog over six months of age should be tested before starting on preventative.)
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