Heartworm is one of the most common problems seen in rescue animals at shelters. A heartworm infection can potentially be fatal, especially if not treated in its early stages. However, how can heartgard chewables protect your pet from heartworm? What are some of the risk factors which may make it more likely that an animal will get heartworm? Here's a quick guide to heartworm infections, as well as the treatments available for infected animals.
What is Heartworm Disease?
Technically, heartworm disease is known as dirofilariasis. This condition occurs when a dog has been infected by heartworms, which reside in their adult stages in the right side of the heart. Heartworms may also be found in the blood vessels which connect the lungs to the heart. The problem with this condition occurs when the infestation of worms is so severe that it restricts blood flow from the heart to important organs, such as the kidneys, lungs and liver.
Can My Pet Get Heartworm Disease?
The main method of transmission of heartworm is through mosquito bites. If a mosquito bites an infected animal, they pick up tiny immature heartworms. These immature heartworms may then be transferred to another animal that the mosquito bites. Pets that are frequently outdoors, or that live in humid climates are most at risk for contracting heartworm disease. In the past, heartworm was confined to certain geographical areas. However, today heartworm has been a problem in all fifty states in the USA.
Can Heartworm be Treated?
There are a few treatment options available for dogs with heartworm. However, the nature of the heartworm infection means that a dog won't test positive for heartworm until six months after they've been infected. This is because after six months, the immature heartworms mature into adult worms, which causes a positive test result. This means that by the time a dog tests positive for heartworm, their infection may already be advanced to the point where long-term treatment is necessary. In general, there are three treatment methods available for heartworm.
The first treatment involves a fast-kill method which uses injections of Immiticide. The second treatment method involves a slow-kill procedure, which uses ivermectin, or Heartgard. In most cases, the first and second treatment methods are combined. The third method involves surgical removal of the heartworms from the animal's body, a risky procedure that is only done if the animal is not expected to survive otherwise.
