Recently we’ve been highlighting Shelter residents available for adoption but are heartworm positive. So why does it matter?
First let’s talk about what heartworms are. A heartworm is a parasite that is transmitted by mosquitoes. Something we have a lot of here in Louisiana. Heartworms are more common in dogs. It is a serious illness that can result in death. As with anything, the more you know about heartworms the better you can be prepared to prevent them.
It’s important because we know how much you love your furry friends. The first canine heartworms in the U. S. were discovered in 1856. Heartworms, or Dirofilaria Immitis, are parasitic round worms that can grow over a foot long and live in the lungs, heart, and blood vessels of an infected pet. Heartworms can cause major health issues for your dog including, heart failure, lung disease, organ damage, and death. Heartworms mature after about 6 months and can live in your dog’s body for about 7 years.
Once your dog is infected with heartworms, the heartworms will procreate and can lead to hundreds of heartworms. This can create lifelong damage to your dog. This is why heartworm prevention is so important. Heartworms spread from mosquitos. Spread does not occur dog to dog. The mosquito bites an infected dog picking up the larvae from the dog’s bloodstream. That larvae grow in the mosquito and when the mosquito bites a healthy dog, the parasites are transferred to the dog.
It can be difficult to know that your dog has heartworms in the early stages because there can be few or no symptoms. As the infection gets worse you may notice your dog has a swollen belly, pale gums, labored breathing, or dark brown urine. You should get your furry friend to the vet as soon as possible when symptoms begin to appear. Sometimes the only treatment option is surgical removal of the heartworms when your dog is in the later stages of the heartworm infection. This can be a very expensive treatment option. Early diagnosis is important to the successful treatment of heartworms and complete recovery. You will also have more options available in the early stages of the heartworm
infection.
If heartworms are not treated it will cause significant damage to your pet’s major organs. In severe cases the infection is often fatal. So, are heartworms really a big deal? I think we now know the answer to that question, yes. Your dog should be tested for heartworms at 7 months of age and then annually going forward. If your dog is negative for heartworms and not already on heartworm prevention, then it’s time to get them protected. There are several options for treatment ranging from a monthly pill to an annual shot. Your vet will discuss available treatment options with you, including cost, and will recommend the best
option to protect your pet and meet your needs.
If you dog tests positive for heartworms, your vet will again discuss available options. To ensure the most effective treatment option is used you vet will need to conduct additional tests to determine the severity of the heartworm infection. This will likely be x-rays but may also include an ultrasound of the heart. The cost of x-rays varies from about $100 to $200. If an ultrasound of the heart is also required, you should expect additional costs from $500 to $1,000. As you can see, the cost of diagnosing your dog for the heartworm infection will likely be higher than the cost of prevention. To treat and kill the heartworms could cost you from $1,000 to $2,000. After successful treatment it will be imperative to
begin prevention. If the heartworm infection is severe the only treatment option would be surgical removal of the heartworms. Surgery could cost you $3,000 to $6,000. In addition to the cost for treatment, your furry friend will be exercise restricted and give strict crate rest and could be for several weeks.
The cost of prevention is about $10 a month to $300 annually for the injection. It is clearly more cost effective to put your dog on prevention than risk them getting a heartworm infection. And, preventing infection protects your pet from the symptoms, damage and effects of treatment. Heartworm infection is preventable.
It’s so important to get your pet tested an on prevention today. We know your four-legged family members are important to you. You can help then stay healthy by being a responsible pet owner. Contact your vet today and protect your pet from heartworm infection, your pet will love you for it. So, what’s the big deal about heartworms? They can be fatal to your pet and it’s preventable.
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