Tuesday, June 4, 2013

What Exactly Are Heartworms? Can Cats And Dogs Get Them?

Heartworms are extremely dangerous worms that begin with a single mosquito.  The name "heartworm disease" can be misleading when dealing with cats because it is mostly a lung issue and not a heart issue; however, the heart is affected in dogs when the disease has progressed significantly.

The treatment is very hard on a dog's body as well because it is basically small doses of arsenic that are injected to kill the larvae and worms but obviously not the dog.  The vet will have to watch your dog for a period of time to make sure everything goes well and your dog will have to be kept quiet for a period of normally 6-8 weeks.  There is no real approved method of treatment for cats as of yet and the diagnosis is extremely complicated.

http://www.heartwormsociety.org/pet-owner-resources/heartworm.html

http://www.petsandparasites.org/dog-owners/heartworms

So what do we as pet parents do about this?  Well most importantly everyone should be on heartworm prevention regardless of your geographic location and whether or not you have seen a mosquito.  There are places outside of the USA that are prone to mosquitos as well and humans as well as animals should be protected against various diseases.

http://www.mosquito.org/mosquito-borne-diseases 
PLEASE GIVE ME PROTECTION!
Heartworm disease is an easily preventable disease and all it takes is giving your dog a monthly preventative.  You can also give your cat a prevention as well since statistics have shown the cats who have shown positive for heartworms have been indoor only cats.  It is rare, but it does happen to cats as well. 

So what are the symptoms?  What should we look for in our pets?  Well if they are coughing more than normal or the cough is persistent, get very tired after a little to moderate activity, they begin losing weight and their coat isn't up to par.  If your pet gets tired after just mild activity and they begin to lose weight but are eating the same amount or more food it is imperative you get him/her into the vet immediately for a heartworm test and/or chest x-ray.  Heartworms are deadly if allowed to progress too far.

http://www.fda.gov/animalveterinary/resourcesforyou/animalhealthliteracy/ucm188470.htm

http://www.vcahospitals.com/main/pet-health-information/article/animal-health/heartworm-disease-in-dogs/773

This prevention should, in my opinion and my vet's opinion, be given year round without interruption.  There is no reason to skip this protection for your pet (cat or dog) just because it is winter and we do not feel these creatures are not out because we may be wrong.  I know here in the Southeastern United States our winters are getting warmer (not that they were very cold anyway) which to me is a justification to treat our pets all year. 

Please talk to your vet and get his/her opinion and advice.  Also check out the links I have provided here from reputable sources.  If you have other sources for me please send them to me because I am always looking for research information to share with people outside of this blog.

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