What are the Clinical Signs of Heartworm Disease?
The most common signs of heartworms include coughing, difficulty breathing, exercise intolerance, weight loss, and lethargy. Pest my not show signs of heartworm disease for up to two years after infection. When the disease is recognized due to clinical signs, it is often well advanced. As the name suggests, heartworms interfere with the heart’s functions. In addition, they also cause significant problems in the lungs, liver and kidneys, which may lead to death.
Heartworm Treatment
Heartworm treatment is a serious medical procedure and can only be done in dogs. The drugs used to kill heartworms contain an arsenic component. During heartworm treatment the dog's liver and kidney will work hard to rid the dog's body of byproducts from the drugs and from the dead heartworms. Heartworm treatment carries risks to the pet. In addition, treatment is very costly. Dogs need to be kept very quiet (strict cage rest) for several weeks after heartworm treatment has been started. Because of the risks and the pain and suffering involved with heartworm treatment, it is much better to prevent heartworms in the first place. Heartworm disease can be easily prevented by giving your dog or cat a dose of heartworm preventative each month.
KEY POINTS
- Heartworms can kill your pet
- Heartworms are easily prevented
- Preventative is much cheaper than treatment – in the case of cats, there is no treatment
- Preventative should be given monthly all year round for the life of your pet
- Do not start preventative without discussing it with your veterinarian – dogs need to be tested first to prevent allergic reactions
Resources:
American Heartworm Society
AVMA - Heartworm Disease
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