(1) The tiny immature heartworms are transmitted through the bite of a mosquito. (2) At first, the parasites move into the dog's tissues. Eventually, they occupy the dog's heart. (3) As the worms grow and reproduce, more immature worms are released into the dog's blood stream. (1) When other mosquitoes bite the dog they pick up these new immature worms and transmit them to the next dog that they bite.
Is Heartworm Disease Serious?
YES, it's very serious! Heartworms interfere with the normal flow of blood from the right side of the heart to the vessels serving the lungs. If left untreated, canine heartworm disease can result in congestive failure of the heart and other organs, considerably reduce your dog's quality of life, and ultimately lead to death.
What are the signs of Heartworm Disease?
At first an infected may show few signs of infection, but as the heartworms grow and mature, they cause increasing damage. Your pet may become listless, tire easily after exercise, develop an occasional or persistent cough, and become anemic.
In advanced cases, dogs often suffer from congestive heart failure. Complications may develop in the liver and kidneys. The blood supply to the lungs and other major organs may become blocked.
What can be done to treat my dog with Heartworms?
A complete physical and medical examination is necessary to determine the health status of your pet and other severity of the disease. Laboratory tests and X-rays may be ordered as part of a complete work-up to help assure treatment tailored to your dog's condition.
Heartworms can be treated with a medication that is the most effective development in adult heartworm control in 50 years. Most heartworm-infected dogs need two injections of this medication, give 24 hours apart. Your dog will be kept in the hospital for this procedure, and will be carefully monitored.
Can my dog get heartworms again after treatment?
Yes, unless you protect your pet. Heartworms are easily transmitted by mosquitoes, and having them once does NOT make your dog immune. Following treatment, your pet must begin taking appropriate heartworm preventative.
How can I protect my dog from Heartworms?
Heartworm Disease is 100% preventable with HEARTGARD PLUS. All you have to do to protect your dog from Heartworm Disease is to give HEARTGARD Plus once a month. It's convenient, your dog will love it and it's GUARANTEED!
Click on the above link and register for Heartgards reminder service
Is my cat at risk for heartworm disease?
When it comes to heartworm disease, dogs and cats have a lot in common. But new research shows that in cats there is the potential for more severe reactions and even sudden death. Indoor cats are also at risk for heartworm disease.
What are the signs?
The most common signs of heartworm disease in cats - coughing, vomiting, breathing difficulties, weight loss, and lethargy - are often mistaken for other conditions such as asthma, pneumonia and digestive problems. In fact, most common clinical signs of heartworm disease in cats resemble bronchial asthma.
Prevention
Treatment, as well as non-treatment, is very risky, because there's no approved product for treating adult heartworms, and the onset of clinical signs is impossible to predict in cats that are left untreated. Even if the disease is treated, your cat may experience severe complications or even death when the worms die. It only takes 1 heartworm to kill a cat. Prevention is the best way to keep your cat safe against heartworm disease. There are 2 prevention measures we recommend taking to protect your cat from heartworm disease. Heartgard Plus for cats or Revolution for cats.
Just a spot once a month is the safe, simple way to protect your cat from heartworm, fleas and other harmful parasites. Revolution protects your cat from harmful parasites both inside and out. Inside, Revolution prevents potentially deadly heartworm disease and treats hookworm and roundworm. Outside, Revolution prevents and controls flea infestation by killing adult fleas and preventing flea eggs from hatching. Revolution also treats and controls ear mites.
Have you ever wondered if you could catch a disease from your cat or dog?
As a matter of fact you can! That is called zoonosis. Zoonosis occurs when diseases are transmitted from your dog or cat to you or a family member. Left unchecked, several parasites can be transmitted from your pet to you or your family and cause a variety of health problems. Hookworm and roundworm can lead to many ailments in humans, including nausea, neurological disorders, even blindness. With the use of Revolution once a month you can protect your pet as well as your family from these parasites. See our Veterinarian about prescribing Revolution for your cat today!
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