Heartworm is exactly what the name implies: a blood-borne parasite (Dirofilaria immitis) infests the dog's heart and adjacent blood vessels. It is transmitted to dogs through mosquito bites, and the infection is present practically throughout the whole world.
Hundreds of thousands of dogs are diagnosed with heartworm each year. It can be a serious condition and may be fatal if not treated. Thankfully, an ounce of prevention can go a long way in protecting your pooch from this terrible affliction.
What Does Heartworm Do to Dogs
Once a dog is infected, the heartworm will grow and bore its way into the dog's heart or surrounding vessels. Heartworms can grow up to 14 inches long within a few months, and will then begin to reproduce. The larvae spread out into the small vessels throughout the body. Dogs treated for heartworm may have hundreds of these parasites present when they're diagnosed.
Heartworms will clog the heart, pulmonary artery, and blood vessels. This impedes the blood flow to other organs, depriving them of oxygen. This will eventually lead to organ damage or failure if not treated.
Treating Heartworm
The earlier your pet is diagnosed with heartworm disease, the better his chances are of recovering. If you notice any of the following symptoms, you should contact your vet immediately:
- Persistent cough
- Lethargy or fatigue
- Decreased appetite
- Weight loss
- Swollen abdomen
Heartworm can be determined through a blood test, and can generally be treated with medication, antibiotics, and lots of rest. Further testing and treatments may be required if any organ damage is suspected. These will depend on the severity of each case.
Prevention Is Key
Unfortunately, by the time symptoms of heartworm are showing, the damage is usually already extensive. That's why vets highly recommend all dogs take regular heartworm prevention medication, usually in the form of a monthly pill.
It is important to keep up with your dog's heartworm treatment. If he goes off his treatment for even a short time, he may contract heartworm. The treatment is great at prevention by killing larvae, but it cannot kill adult heartworms. Any present will continue to do damage.
Our Heartworm Treatment
The Animal Doctors facility offers in-house laboratory testing, and in-depth diagnostic workups using state-of-the-art veterinary tools. If your pet is healthy and heartworm-free, we can discuss a prevention plan with you to ensure he stays that way.
If heartworm is present, our highly trained veterinary medical staff is ready to leap into action and formulate a treatment plan. We will make sure in this stressful time to keep both you and your pet calm and comfortable, and we will walk you through all the details and procedures. We routinely consult with specialists when necessary and work with them to help provide your pooch with the best care possible.
The Animal Doctors have been serving the San Francisco Bay Area for 40 years, and we have been AAHA-accredited since 1987. We have been successful by adhering to the strictest standards of cleanliness, professionalism, patient care, and quality of veterinary medicine.
Call us for an appointment today to test or treat your dog for heartworm. Our areas of coverage include the San Francisco Peninsula, including Atherton, Cupertino, East Palo Alto, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Menlo Park, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Portola Valley, Redwood City, Stanford, and Woodside.
