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Mosquitoes are known to transmit the parasite known as the heartworm among its hosts. Heartworms in canines are a kind of filaris (a long thin worm), and despite being best known for being found in dogs, heartworms can affect a wide variety of other animals, from cats and ferrets to sea lions and even people. The heartworm’s name was derived from the fact that its reproductive cycle’s last stage occurs within the heart of its host.

If left untreated, the animal will find exertion harder and may faint under physical strain or experience extreme breathlessness. Eventually the animal can die of heart failure or failure of the kidneys, lungs and liver as the parasites also damage these organs.

Heartworm is treatable, but it can take 18 months or longer. Moreover, it is not pleasant on the animal, as in many cases killing the parasites involves the use of medicines containing arsenic compounds or other strong heart worm drugs. Treatment might even involve surgery.

The life cycle of the dog heartworm is approximately 6 to 7 months from the first bite of the mosquito to the parasite moving to the heart. Upon adulthood, the females can measure 30cm in length and the males 23cm. After 7 months, mating will have occurred and the females will have started producing microfilariae. Although heart worms used to only affect warm southern climates, they now affect anywhere which is habitable for mosquitoes.

Obviously, prevention of heartworms is far simpler and more effective than treatment after infection. Heartgard, a monthly prophylactic medication, contains ivermectin, a broad-spectrum anti-parasitic. Heartgard is popular for its ease of use, its relative inexpensiveness, and its effectiveness.

Other heartworm preventatives include milbemycin which can be found in Interceptor heartworm treatment and moxidectin which is the effective ingredient in ProHeart. The most popular of these is Heartgard Plus.

Heartworm and other parasites can also be treated by using a topical application such as Revolution, which is not only a heartworm control, but also a program of flea control and parasite control. Heartworm protection is very effective thankfully, so there is no need for your pet to be adversely affected. Consult your vet to get your dog checked out.

Medications can prevent and cure the infection, but a blood test is the most common form of diagnosis first. If your animal is found to be infected, an x-ray will show the extent of the damage that has been caused. Heartworm pills or injections can be prescribed, but as with anything, heart worm, flea, ticks or any other health condition, prevention is much better than cure.

To get the information you need, ask about the canine heart worm at your dog’s next routine check up. Don’t risk your pet’s health by trying to save money, as it will be more expensive in the long run if they do become infected. Plus your pet will be healthier if you prevent the heart worms in the first place.

Tags: Dogs

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