People don’t call dogs “man’s best friend” for nothing. By spending time with us, walking with us, playing with us and loving us, dogs directly contribute to a better quality of life for humans. Isn’t it only fair that we return the love and affection? It is the sole responsibility of the dog owner to make sure that their canine companion is as well taken care of, healthy and happy as they can be and making sure that their pets are disease and heartworm free is one of the most wonderful ways of doing so.
What is Heartworm?
Heartworm is a disease commonly found in dogs and some cats. It is a parasitic worm that can cause severe damage to a dog’s system and they get the worms through contact with mosquitoes. While dogs are the primary hosts for this parasite, it has been known for cats to have heartworm and even some humans, but on a very rare instances. They are actual worm parasites that live in the dog’s heart, arteries and lungs and they have a life span of six to seven months - plenty of time to do more than enough damage.
How do Dogs Get Heartworm?
Again, heartworm is spread through contact with mosquitoes so it is outdoor dogs that are the most afflicted by heartworm diseases. Infected mosquitoes bite the dog, but in the process they deposit heartworm larvae into the dog’s coat. From there, the larvae moves into the dog’s skin and changes form into the worm-like parasite that they appear to be and they can get rather big; some heartworms have been found to be a foot long! They reproduce and create more heartworms that live in a dog’s blood vessels and they can be there for years, causing severe problems with blood circulation and the lungs.
The problem with heartworm is that it can get pretty bad before it ever shows its ugly head to a human owner. This means that your dog could be afflicted with heartworm and you would never notice it, perhaps until it is nearly too late for them. Depending on the health of your dog, the number of heartworms, where they have infected and how long they have been there, a dog can be critically ill with heartworm disease if they are not checked and treated properly. Signs of heartworm disease in dogs include fainting, heavy or short breathing, severe weight loss, nervousness, loss of appetite or energy and coughing. Heart failure is also a sign of heartworm, although it is one of the terminal ones that normally lead to death from these wicked parasites.
You Can Help Your Dog
Your vet should have heartworm preventative medication for your pet and they can test your dog and find out whether or not he is infected with the parasites. Most heartworm tests are included in a normal vet visit as it is. If your pet sees a vet on a consistent basis, request for heartworm medication and your dog should be fine. If they are infected, there are methods of treatment as well and many of them are effective, but preventing heartworms in dogs is always much easier than treating them.
About the Author
Natalie is the author of http://WormsInMyPet.com. Visit her site for more free tips on eliminating worms and preventing worms in your dog.
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