Things to Know About Canine Heartworm Disease

What is Heartworm Diseases??

• Heartworm is a potentially deadly parasite that is transmitted only by mosquitos, which pick up larval heartworms, called microfilaria, circulating in the bloodstream of infected animals.

How Heartworm Diseases can spread??

When a mosquito bites the pet, they inject out the blood filled with baby worms and are matured into the infective stage larvae.

Heartworm Test in Dogs

• Heartworm tests can be easily conducted on dogs. The test results are usually found within minutes if you test at home, while it can take a day or two if the test sends out. Also, puppies below seven months do not need to be tested for heartworm yet they must be given preventive.

• If the disease is diagnosed in the early stages, the dog will have a higher chance of recovering from it.

Preventing Heartworm

• Treatment for heartworm is hard and sometimes dangerous for the dog and very expensive, which is why veterinarians are so adamant about yearly testing and administration of preventative compounds — what scientists call chemoprophylaxis.

• Heartworm prevention comes in several kinds including chewable, spot-on solutions, and injectable. The treatment should be given to dogs above 8 weeks of age, all year around.

list of some preventatives

Discuss with your veterinarian about which one best fits your dog’s needs.