Heartworm Disease
Heartworm disease is a potentially fatal parasitic disease affecting both cats and dogs. Fortunately, it is easily preventable with appropriate medication. This parasite is carried by several different species of mosquitoes. The disease is transmitted to dogs and cats when bitten by an infected mosquito. This illness is widespread throughout the United States, but is particularly prevalent in the eastern and gulf coast states, which include Florida. The disease is more common in warmer climates because these parasites rely on higher temperatures in order to grow and mature.
The adult heartworm lives mainly in the large arteries leading to the lungs. These arteries, termed the pulmonary arteries, originate from the heart, hence the names name Heartworm Disease.
The Following is a diagram of the lifecycle of Heartworm Disease
All different ages and breeds of dogs and cats are susceptible to heartworm disease. If your pet becomes infected, the following are some of the symptoms you may see:
- Difficulty breathing such as panting or shortness of breath and fatigue
- Fainting spells
- Coughing
- Weight loss
- Cats may exhibit gagging or vomiting
It is important to note that many dogs and cats may be positive for Heartworm disease but not exhibit any clinical signs at all. In addition, many of the symptoms listed a bove can be associated with other diseases. If your pet is exhibiting any of these abnormalities, he or she should be evaluated by your veterinarian immediately.
DIAGNOSIS
A very simple blood test is used in diagnosing Heartworm disease. This should be performed once a year when your pet visits his or her veterinarian for their routine annual examination. The blood is placed on a device termed a SNAP test. This SNAP test detects the amount of circulating antigen in your pet’s body. In simpler terms, the test determines whether your pet’s immune system is actively fighting a heartworm infection. In addition, the infection may occasionally be detected by ultrasound or x-ray images of the heart and lungs. Usually, however, these tests are used once the diagnosis of Heartworm disease has been established to determine the extent of the infection.
TREATMENT
Usually, all but the most advanced cases of heartworm disease can be successfully treated in dogs. This unfortunately, is not true for cats. Currently, there is nothing approved in the United States for the treatment of heartworm infection in cats, thus prevention is imperative.
Adult heartworms in dogs are treated using a drug called an Adulticide , which is injected directly into the muscle. A series of treatments are performed, and hospitalization is generally recommended. When your pet is sent home, exercise should be limited to leash walking for the duration of the recovery period, which is generally one to two months. Re-infection during treatment is prevented by administration of medication.PREVENTION
Although Heartworm disease in dogs is a potentially fatal disease, prevention is safe, easy and inexpensive. Treatment, on the other hand, is complicated and expensive, taking weeks for an infected animal to recover. There is no effective treatment for heartworm disease in cats, so it is imperative that disease prevention measures be taken. There are many options for Heartworm Disease prevention in both dogs and cats. These include daily and monthly tablets and chewables, as well as monthly topicals. Any of these choices are extremely effective, and when administered properly on a timely schedule, heartworm infection can be completely prevented. Please contact your veterinarian regarding which Heartworm prevention is best for your pet.
Our pets rely on us to keep them healthy, and happy. In doing so, easily preventable illnesses such as Heartworm Disease should be a part of your routine care for your pet. It is our responsibility to maintain the prevention program that you and your veterinarian have selected for your pet. In turn, our pets will thank us with a long life of health and companionship.
Posted in: Your Pet with Dr. Birken
