Understanding Heartworm Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention
Dogs and cats are susceptible to the devastating effects of heartworm disease, a serious illness caused by a parasitic worm. In infected animals, heartworm disease can damage the lungs and heart. If not treated, the worms can grow and multiply, and eventually block blood flow to the animal’s heart altogether.
But there is good news. Heartworm disease is preventable with diligent, ongoing parasite protection. Our team at Bayside Animal Hospital is dedicated to raising awareness about the risks of heartworm disease. Keep reading for important information about heartworm disease symptoms, risks, and prevention.
What Causes Heartworm Disease in Pets?
The culprit is a parasitic worm called Dirofilaria immitis, and these worms travel through the bites of mosquitoes carrying the worm in its microscopic form. When infected mosquitoes bite a pet, the microfilaria enter the pet’s bloodstream. It only takes 6 or 7 months for the heartworm larvae to reach adulthood and reproduce.
Dogs are typical heartworm hosts, but unprotected cats and ferrets are also susceptible.
What are the Symptoms of Heartworm Disease in Dogs?
Symptoms of heartworm disease can progress quickly, so once you spot the following signs of a heartworm infection, contact your veterinarian immediately:
- Mild but persistent cough
- Unusual fatigue after mild to moderate exercise
- Lack of appetite
- Not wanting to play or exercise
- Weight loss
- Swollen abdomen (due to fluid buildup)
- Labored breathing
- Pale gums
What are the Symptoms of Heartworm Disease in Cats?
For cats, the risks of heartworm disease are devastating. Cats have small bodies with tiny blood vessels, so it takes just a mild heartworm infection to have catastrophic results. Symptoms that a cat has been infected with heartworms include:
- Wheezing or asthma-like attacks
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
- No appetite
- Difficulty walking
- Fainting
- Seizures
How to Treat and Prevent Heartworm Disease
Year-round, veterinarian-recommended parasite prevention (even for indoor pets) is the best way to protect your furry friend from the risks and dangers of heartworm disease.
Testing for heartworms requires a small blood sample. When a pet tests positive, treatment can be complex and involve injections, hospitalization, and restricted movement. Additional testing is needed following treatment to confirm that the heartworms are gone.
Preventing heartworm disease to begin with is critical, and puppies and kittens can begin heartworm preventives from the time they’re just 8 weeks old.
For dogs, heartworm preventives come in the form of topical medications, chewable and non-chewable tablets, and injections. Topical liquid medications and oral medications are available for cats. Your Bayside Animal Hospital veterinarian can recommend the parasite prevention that is best for your pet.
Many heartworm preventives offer the added benefit of protecting pets against intestinal parasites (such as roundworms and hookworms), plus fleas, ticks, and ear mites.
Good Health Begins with Wellness and Preventive Care
The risks of heartworm disease make prevention imperative. Your veterinarian can recommend the year-round heartworm medication that is optimal for your pet at your next wellness visit, or you can call us anytime at (916) 791-8387 to discuss your pet’s needs.