WHAT ARE HEARTWORMS, AND HOW DOES MY DOG GET THEM?
Heartworms are serious internal parasites that are transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. Left untreated, heartworm infection can cause severe heart and lung problems, weakness, exercise intolerance and even death. Heartworm disease is more prevalent in outdoor dogs and dogs living around mosquito-infested areas, but ANY dog, young or old, hunting dog or lap dog, can be infected - it only takes one bite!
WHAT CAN I DO TO PREVENT HEARTWORM INFECTION?
The only way to prevent heartworm disease is by giving your dog an oral preventative. The other way-completely eliminating mosquitoes from anywhere your dog goes - is not very practical! Two are available: a daily chewable tablet, or a monthly chewable or nonchewable tablet. Both are equally effective if given properly, and both cost about the same. Ask your veterinarian for his or her recommendation. Your lifestyle and the age of your dog may affect your choice.
HOW LONG SHOULD I GIVE THE PREVENTATIVE?
Our current recommendations involve giving heartworm preventative year-round. During mild winters mosquitoes may survive the winter living in a garage. Remember, though, that a yearly heartworm test is necessary EVEN IF PREVENTATIVE IS GIVEN YEAR-ROUND.
WHY AND WHEN SHOULD I TEST MY DOG?
Puppies should be tested for the first time between six and seven months of age and placed on an appropriate preventative. If your puppy is less than six months of age when heartworm season begins, it should be started on preventative prior to testing.
Older dogs on preventative should be tested annually in the spring prior to mosquito season. Dogs MUST be tested before being placed on preventative. If the medication is given to a dog with preexisting heartworm infection, the dog can die of anaphylactic shock.
DO I STILL NEED TO TEST MY DOG IF IT'S ON PREVENTATIVE YEAR-ROUND?
Any dog can vomit up a pill without you noticing it, and some diseases can interfere with the metabolism of the preventative. If the daily pill is missed for more than 2 consecutive days, or if the monthly pill is more than 2 weeks late, your dog is vulnerable to infection. The test is inexpensive peace of mind.
WHAT IF MY DOG'S HEARTWORM TEST COMES BACK POSITIVE?
Heartworm disease is treatable if caught early enough. The treatment is expensive and requires hospitalization for several days while an arsenical compound is given intravenously in four separate doses. One month after treatment a second drug is given orally for one week to kill the microfilariae. The treatment itself is very risky and should not be viewed as an alternative to using preventative.
Timely heartworm testing and the appropriate preventative are an important part of a comprehensive health program. Ask your verterinarian if you have any further questions.
Contributor:
Jack R. Horton, DVM
Horton Animal Hospital - Central
Columbia, MO
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