Heartworm

January 2012, Angela, LVT

At Helping Hands veterinary Clinic, we are always stressing the importance of keeping your pet up to date on all treatments and preventions. This holds true for the prevention of Heartworm disease. Heartworm disease is a serious and sometimes fatal condition where infected animals have adult worms living in both lungs and heart.

Heartworms are passed from animal to animal by means of a mosquito. The life cycle begins with the female Heartworm releasing their young, or microfilariae, into the infected animal's bloodstream. Once a mosquito takes a blood meal, it too becomes infected. Within 10 to 14 days, the microfilariae mature to the infective larval stage within the mosquito. Once the mosquito takes a blood meal on another animal, the infective larvae pass through the bloodstream. Within 6 months the larvae mature into adult worms and reside in both the lungs and the heart. The adult heartworm can live up to 7 years in an animal.

Though Heartworm disease may not be as prevalent in the Northwest as it is in warmer areas, it has been reported in all 50 states. In both cats and dogs, clinical signs are usually seen in late stages of the disease. Some signs you may see are persistent coughing, vomiting, lethargy and weight loss.

This disease can cost thousands of dollars to treat and can be extremely rough on both animal and owner. The treatment includes harsh medications and isolation/kenneling for months at a time. Prevention, on the other hand, is both cost effective and simple. Helping Hands Veterinary Clinic currently offers two types of Heartworm preventions; Revolution and Trifexis. Revolution is a topical prevention whereas Trifexis is an oral form. Both are successful in the prevention of Heartworm disease. We also recommend bringing your pet in for yearly Heartworm tests. These tests use a small amount of blood to detect the presence of adult worms within the bloodstream. These tests are important to do because animals that are diagnosed with Heartworm should seek treatment immediately. The sooner this disease is diagnosed, the more optimal results you will see with treatment. If you have any questions or would like to schedule your pet's yearly Heartworm test, send us an email or call us at the clinic.

Angela, LVT