Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal condition in dogs. It’s caused by parasitic worms that live in the heart and pulmonary arteries of an infected dog. The worms are transmitted to dogs through a bite from an infected mosquito. In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about heartworms and how to kill them.
Understanding Heartworm Disease
Before you can effectively kill heartworms, it’s important to understand what they are and how they affect your dog.
Heartworms are long, thin worms that can grow up to a foot in length. They live in the heart and lungs, causing inflammation and damage to these vital organs. Symptoms of heartworm disease include coughing, fatigue, decreased appetite, and weight loss.
Life Cycle of a Heartworm
- The heartworm lifecycle begins when a mosquito bites an infected dog and picks up microscopic heartworm larvae, known as microfilariae.
- These larvae mature into infective larvae within the mosquito.
- When the mosquito bites another dog, it transmits the infective larvae into the dog’s bloodstream.
- The larvae migrate to the dog’s heart and lungs, where they grow into adult heartworms.
- The adult worms produce microfilariae, which circulate in the dog’s bloodstream and can be picked up by mosquitoes, continuing the lifecycle.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Heartworm Disease
If you suspect your dog has heartworms, it’s crucial to get a diagnosis from a veterinarian.
Diagnosis
Veterinarians use blood tests to diagnose heartworms. These tests can detect the presence of heartworm proteins (antigens) in your dog’s blood.
| Test | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Antigen Test | Detects the presence of adult female heartworms. |
| Microfilaria Test | Detects the presence of baby heartworms in the bloodstream. |
Treatment
Treating heartworm disease is a multi-step process that includes killing both the adult worms and the microfilariae.
- Stabilize the Dog: If your dog is showing signs of heartworm disease, your vet will first stabilize its condition with medications.
- Kill the Adult Heartworms: An FDA-approved drug called melarsomine is used to kill adult heartworms. It’s given by injection in the dog’s back muscles.
- Kill the Microfilariae: Your vet will prescribe a heartworm preventive to kill the baby heartworms in your dog’s bloodstream.
- Monitor and Prevent Reinfection: Your vet will conduct follow-up tests to ensure all heartworms have been killed and will prescribe a heartworm preventive to keep your dog from getting re-infected.
Prevention of Heartworm Disease
Prevention is the best way to protect your dog from heartworm disease.
- Monthly Preventives: These medicines kill heartworm larvae before they can grow into adult worms. They come in oral, topical, and injectable forms.
- Yearly Testing: Even if your dog is on a preventive, yearly testing is still necessary to ensure it’s working.
Caring for a Dog with Heartworm Disease
Caring for a dog with heartworm disease involves careful monitoring and a commitment to the treatment protocol.
- Restricted Activity: Your dog’s activity level will need to be restricted to prevent damage to the heart and lungs.
- Nutrition: A balanced diet can help support your dog’s immune system and overall health.
- Medication Compliance: It’s crucial to give your dog all prescribed medications as directed by your vet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can humans get heartworms from their dogs?
A: No, heartworm disease is not directly contagious from dogs to humans.
Q: Can heartworm disease be cured?
A: Yes, with proper treatment, heartworm disease can be cured. However, it’s a serious condition that can cause lasting damage, so prevention is always the best approach.
Q: How long does treatment take?
A: Treatment can take several months to a year, depending on the severity of the infection.
Q: Is heartworm prevention necessary all year?
A: Yes, heartworm prevention should be given all year, even in colder climates where mosquitoes are less prevalent.
Q: Are certain breeds more susceptible to heartworms?
A: No, all breeds of dogs can get heartworms if bitten by an infected mosquito.
In conclusion, while heartworm disease is a serious threat to dogs, it can be prevented with regular use of heartworm preventives and yearly testing. If your dog is infected, it’s crucial to follow your vet’s treatment protocol to kill the heartworms and prevent further damage to your dog’s heart and lungs.
