Heartworms and Your Pet
Heartworms occur throughout the U.S., and although they are preventable, they are
still common in dogs and cats. Transmitted by mosquitoes, they are among the most damaging canine and feline parasites. Heartworms can be a very serious problem for both dogs and cats, especially those in mosquito infested areas. Because heartworms live in the bloodstream, lungs and heart, they can kill or seriously debilitate pets that are infected with them.
Common questions about heartworms
Should I be concerned about heartworms in my pet?
Yes. Heartworms are transmitted by the bite of mosquitoes from an infected pet. They must go through the mosquito, not directly from dog to dog. Heartworms can kill or seriously debilitate pets that are infected with them. That’s because heartworms live in the bloodstream, lungs and heart of infected pets.
As you can see on the map, the greater St. Louis area is among the most highly infected areas of the country.
How will heartworms affect my dog?
The heartworm larvae deposited by the feeding mosquito eventually migrate to the chambers of the heart or into the vessels of the lungs. Once in the heart, the worms can affect blood flow throughout the body. Heartworms may be up to a foot long and your pet may have anywhere from one to several dozen in their heart and adjacent blood vessels.
Heartworm infection can affect many different organs of the dog. While the heart and lungs may suffer most, other organs such as the kidneys and liver may be impacted. A veterinarian may suspect that an animal has been infected if an active animal tires easily or shows shortness of breath or coughing; however, one or more tests conducted by your veterinarian may be necessary to determine whether or not your dog has heartworms. There may be no signs at all. This makes testing and prevention all the more important to do before signs begin.
Can my cat be affected by heartworms?
Yes. However, feline heartworm disease can differ significantly from its canine counterpart, and may require the use of several diagnostic tests or procedures to confirm a diagnosis. Cats with clinical heartworm disease usually present with respiratory signs such as coughing and/or difficulty breathing, or even intermittent vomiting not associated with eating. Other signs include weight loss and/or diarrhea without accompanying respiratory signs. The respiratory signs are difficult to differentiate from those observed with feline asthma.
How do I prevent my pets from getting heartworms?
All dogs and cats are at risk, even those animals that primarily live indoors. However, heartworms are preventable.
At Ark Animal Hospital, we offer multiple types of heartworm prevention. Preventive treatment should begin at six or eight weeks of age in puppies, and after tests have been conducted in older dogs to determine if your dog has already been infected. If your dog does have heartworms, Drs. Smith and Drs. Stahlheber can advise you about treatment options. In dogs over six months of age, a blood test is recommended before starting medication. We, along with the Companion Animal Parasite Council and the American Heartworm Society, recommend giving prevention to your pet every month, all year long.
Heartworm Testing
At Ark Animal Hospital, we can conduct a simple blood test to determine if your pet has heartworms or heartworm disease. For dogs, the test requires only one drop of blood, and is complete in 8 minutes. We can quickly make sure your dog is negative for heartworms, and send you home with heartworm prevention, all in the same visit! Please call us today to schedule your pet’s heartworm test, to pick up heartworm prevention, or with any questions!
(618)207-4000
Dr. Sarah Smith Dr. Kristin Stahlheber
References:
- The Companion Animal Parasite Council http://www.petsandparasites.org/
- The American Heartworm Society https://www.heartwormsociety.org/