The heartworm, or canine heartworm disease, is a disease that can affect dogs, other pets such as cats and ferrets, and even humans. It is usually transmitted by infected phlebotomas that act as vectors of this pathology, considered one of the most serious and frequent parasitic diseases in dogs.
As it is a pathology that can be asymptomatic, but that can also result in the death of the dog, it is vitally important to practice the proper preventive medicine, since the treatment of the heart worm is complex and time-consuming.
- If you want to know more about this parasite that can affect your dog’s health.
- Continue reading this article by Animal Expert.
- In which we will show you everything you need to know about the heartworm in dogs.
- As well as the most common symptoms of this disease.
- The treatment to be followed and the preventive measures Dirofilariosis canine – symptoms and treatment.
Canine heartworm is a disease that was first detected in cats around 1920. It is a parasitic disease caused by a nematode called Dirofilaria immitis, which mainly parasites the heart and pulmonary arteries of dogs through the bloodstream. . They usually accumulate in the right ventricle and blood vessels of the lungs, where they grow up to 15 or 30 cm in length.
This parasitosis makes blood supply difficult in a short time, as its reproduction is particularly fast. In fact, it is possible to have more than 100 worms in a severe advanced infestation.
Adult nematodes feed on the nutrients of the affected dog’s blood and can live between 5 and 7 years inside the body, until death from cardiac arrest.
This disease is transmitted by a vector, as is the case with phlebotomas, however, the contagion of puppies can also occur during the gestation of the bitch.
The vector usually absorbs the parasite in its youngest phase, after feeding on the blood of an infected individual. In phlebotoma, for two to three weeks, the larvae will develop into immature worms. Then, when the mosquito bites another individual, it transmits immature worms, so heartworm disease begins in a healthy dog.
Immature worms begin to develop in the tissues of the infected animal and eventually, when they become adults, they remain in the heart and pulmonary arteries through the blood supply to continue their life cycle. From the moment parasites enter a dog’s body until they reach maturity, it can take between 80 and 120 days.
It is unlikely that we will find adult worms of Dirofilaria immitis in puppies less than 7 months, however, we can find small worms still in the maturation stage, called “microfilariae”. This occurs only in cases of direct contagion, when the mother of the cubs suffers from this disease and, during pregnancy, the microfilariae are transmitted through the placenta to the body of the developing puppies.
All this makes the infected puppy a possible transmitter of the disease, because in addition to living it, if it is bitten by a phlebotoma, it will acquire the parasites and be able to transmit them to other individuals.
This parasitosis affects not only dogs, but also a wide range of animal species, including cats, ferrets, coyotes and even humans, as one of the diseases that dogs transmit to humans and vice versa. In addition, it is currently widespread throughout the planet, with the exception of the Antarctic region, and wetlands are more conducive to transmission risk.
Infested individuals may be asymptomatic, meaning they may not show obvious signs caused by this pathology. It is precisely for this reason that dyrofilariosis is usually detected only when it is already in an advanced stage.
The most common symptoms of canine heartworm disease include
It is vitally important to go to a veterinary clinic if you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above, to determine if the cause is due to the presence of the heartworm or heart worm in the dog.
Heartworm disease can be diagnosed in dogs through laboratory tests, including a blood test that will show infection and other common symptoms of the disease, such as anemia, clotting problems, kidney problems, and elevated liver transaminases. The latter occurs when the kidneys and liver are affected.
Because false negatives may occur, x-rays or ultrasounds may also be needed to confirm the presence of the heart worm in the dog’s body.
Depending on the stage of disease development, the prognosis can be very variable and even reserved.
While there is no general treatment for heartworm disease, diagnostic tests will help the veterinarian determine how treatment should be performed, always taking into account the patient’s health and the body’s ability to respond in a timely manner. Affirmatively.
However, although the process can become complicated in some cases, it is a treatable disease if diagnosed quickly and if effective treatment is performed to remove adult worms and larvae. However, it should be remembered that in advanced states it can be very difficult to treat and, in some cases, the death of the dog is inevitable.
Treatment is usually long, lasts for several months, and usually begins with medication to expel the microfilariae and larvae from the body, followed by several injections to remove adult worms. Later, when this first phase of treatment is successful, a lifelong drug continues to kill microfilariae. Medications may also need to be given to treat dog symptoms and supportive medications for affected organs, including the kidneys and liver.
Finalmente, é necessário fornecer vitaminas e uma alimentação que ajude a fortalecer a saúde do nosso cão, além de instaurar de forma permanente um plano preventivo, para que a infestação não se repita.
It is essential that, during the treatment of the expulsion of pests, the affected dog rests sufficiently to avoid obstructions and damage to the affected organs. When the dog recovers, it should gradually resume its normal activity, following the recommendations of the veterinarian.
It is important to remember that the deal is aggressive, and will leave a mark on the health of our faithful partner. Therefore, we need to help you regain your strength and health after treatment, while during treatment we will try to strengthen the health of the dog following the veterinary advice recommended by the specialist.
As it is a parasitic pathology so severe that it can also affect other animals and humans, it is vitally important to carry out a preventive medicine plan guided by our trusted veterinarian. So, if you’re wondering how to prevent heartworm in dogs, we’ll explain the best steps below.
As it is an asymptomatic disease in some cases, it is highly recommended to carry out a monthly deworming plan, both external and internal, that helps us prevent infestation by heart worms in dogs. However, it is necessary to strictly follow the schedule of parasitic agents, in addition to go to the specialist every six or twelve months to carry out checks, which guarantee the good health of the dog and the absence of parasitic diseases.
By following the advice of our veterinarian and using veterinary prescription products, we can protect the dog and the whole family. Remember, because we love them, we protect them by deworming your pet! Learn more about dog deworming in the video below:
This article is for informational purposes only, in Animal Expert.com.br we cannot prescribe veterinary treatments or make any kind of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case of any type of condition or discomfort.
If you would like to read similar articles about the canine heartworm: symptoms and treatment, we recommend that you visit our Parasitic Diseases section.