By: Kelly Marshall
Submitted: 2009-02-23 00:02:18 | Word Count: 527
What are Heartworms?
Heartworms are a commonly found parasite in the same class as roundworms. This parasitic worm infects many different pets but is most commonly found in dogs. The parasitic worm has the diameter of thin spaghetti and can be observed free floating in the dog’s heart and neighboring blood vessels, hence the name “heartworm.” The parasite spends some of its life cycle in the animal’s heart. A heartworm infection can cause a serious disease in dogs that can result in the death of the pet.
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How Does a Heartworm Infection Spread?
Heartworm infections are spread by mosquitoes. First, an infected dog is bitten by a mosquito. The mosquito becomes infected by the microfilaria of the parasite. The microfilaria grow into the parasite’s larvae within the mosquito. When the mosquito bites another dog, the larvae enter into the new host through the wound. The larvae take 6 months to mature into off spring producing adults. The adults reside in the heart and lungs of the dog. They then produce offspring that release into the dogs blood, starting the cycle again.
What Problems do Heartworms Cause?
Once in the heart, the worms occupy the vessels between the heart and lung. In an extreme infection, the heartworms can completely fill the right ventricle of the heart. This is referred to as Caval Syndrome. The presence of the heartworms also causes the destruction of red blood cells. The blood ends up in the urine discoloring it.
Signs of Heartworm Infection and Heartworm Disease
A dog does not show outward signs of being infected during the initial infection. However, if the dog is active and has a heavier infection, then it will begin to show signs. The signs include a distinctive cough. The dog will also tire easily. As the infection becomes more severe the dog experiences excessive weight loss, will cough up blood, faint and become listless and no longer has interest in dog toys. A severe untreated infection will eventually lead to congestive heart failure and then death.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Heartworms
Heartworm is diagnosed by a blood test or by x ray. The blood is tested for the presence of a chemical released from the mature parasite; therefore, the blood test can only diagnose the disease when the worms are adults. Once the infection is diagnosed, treatment should start immediately. Mature heartworms are killed by arsenic containing compounds like Immiticide. The drug is injected into the muscle of the dog as an outpatient or in some cases, hospitalization is recommended. A treated dog is required to rest for a few weeks after treatment. This allows the dog‘s body to absorb the dead worms. Purchase new dog toys that encourage the dog to be less active. In some cases, when Caval Syndrome is suspected, it may be necessary to surgically remove the heartworms to stabilize the dog before giving other treatments.
Prevention of Heartworms
The best way to prevent a pet from getting heartworms is prophylactic treatment. This kind of treatment is given monthly. Treatments like ProHeart or Heartgard are commonly used. These drugs are very effective, preventing infection in 99 percent of treated pets.
