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| Heartworm Disease |
Often starting at $475, treating heartworm can prove expensive. Read more to learn how you can easily prevent this from happening to your pet.
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| (1) The tiny immature heartworms are transmitted through the bite of mosquito. (2) At first, the parasites move into your dog's tissues. Eventually, they occupy your dog's heart. (3) As the worms grow and reproduce, more immature worms are released into your dog's blood stream. (1) When other mosquitoes bite your dog they pick up these new immature worms and transmit them to the next dog that they bite. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Lifecycle of the Heartworm | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Yes, it's very serious. Heartworms interfere with the normal flow of blood from the right side of the heart to the vessels serving the lungs. If left untreated, canine heartworm disease can result in congestive failure of the heart and other organs, considerably reduce your dog?s quality of life, and ultimately lead to death. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| At first an infected dog may show few signs of infection, but as the heartworms grow and mature, they cause increasing damage. Your pet may become listless, tire easily after exercise, develop an occasional or persistent cough, and become anemic.
In advanced cases, dogs often suffer congestive heart failure. Complications may develop in the liver and kidneys. The blood supply to the lungs and other major organs may become blocked. |
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| What can be done to rid my dog of Heartworm? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A complete physical and medical examination are necessary to determine the health status of your pet and the severity of the disease. Laboratory tests and X-rays may be ordered as part of a complete work-up to help assure treatment tailored to your dog's condition.
Heartworms can be treated with a medication that is the most effective development in adult heartworm control in 50 years. Most heartworm-infected dogs need two injections of the medication, given 24 hours apart. You dog will be kept in the hospital for this procedure, and will be carefully monitored. Supportive medications may be administered as necessary on a case-by-case basis. |
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| In most cases, within a day or two after the second injection. However, your pet's condition and your veterinarian's judgement will best determine when your pet may go home. Heartworm disease and treatment are serious matters. Your pet will need some extra TLC (tender loving care) and rest after treatment. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Rest is necessary to prevent complications resulting from stress on the heart and lungs. Keeping your dog quiet and confined for 4-6 weeks is essential. For most dogs, staying indoors will be sufficient. Very active dogs may need to be more closely confined. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| As the worms within the heart and circulatory system are eliminated, some dogs experience a temporary lack of appetite, upset stomach, drooling or panting. Signs of fever, respiratory difficulty, or depression also may occur in response to the presence of dead worms. If these or other signs of discomfort develop, please call your veterinarian, who will see that your pet gets appropriate care. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Yes, unless you protect your pet. Heartworms are easily transmitted by mosquitoes, and having them once does NOT make your dog immune. Following treatment, your pet must begin taking an appropriate heartworm preventive. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| When should I bring my dog back to the clinic? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Your veterinarian will schedule a check-up for your dog to assure a full recovery. Four months after treatment, your veterinarian will do a follow-up test to make sure your dog is heartworm-negative. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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