Taking Heartworms Seriously

As the weather continues to warm up, with it comes the wonderful return of our dreaded enemy, the mosquito. With them comes the return of the threat of heartworms for our furry companions. If aren't familiar with what heartworms actually are, here's a brief description from "Heartworms are a species of roundworms and live in the arteries of the lungs and heart and the blood vessels surround both." Needless to say, this is a significant danger that can potentially be fatal to our four-legged friends. Heartworm Transmission Heartworm is transmitted through mosquito bites. Here's the process:

1. A mosquito bites an infected canine, and gets undeveloped larvae in the blood extracted.
2. Those larvae being to mature, and are passed to the dogs the mosquito bites.
3. The heartworm larvae move in the circulatory system to the heart and lungs where they fully develop, leading to Heartworm Disease.

Prevention Kills Heartworms Heartworm disease can be very difficult to treat once an infection has started. This often includes multiple trips to your veterinarian, which obviously means a sizable bill to come with it. There are several preventative treatments available, but must be obtained from your Vet. Options for treatment include a traditional pill (typically given with some kind of food), a chewy bar, and even a topical treatment. Your chosen method of prevention will determine how often treatment is required; it is critical to stick to the prescribed schedule of treatment to keep your furry friend safe and healthy. As a boarding, grooming and doggie daycare provider, we have assisted clients with getting their dogs to the Vet for check-ups. Unfortunately, we have seen more than a few cases where the heartworm prevention regiment wasn't maintained, and we had to deliver the news their dog is infected with heartworm disease. Heartworm Early Detection Unfortunately, once a dog is infected, heartworm disease can be very difficult for the owner to catch; the signs are very similar to that of other common canine ailments. These symptoms include:

• Dry chronic cough
• Lethargy
• Weakness
• Loss of appetite
• Low energy levels

CAUTION: If your dog exhibits any of these symptoms for more tha 72 hours, be sure to see your Vet. Before your Vet will start a prevention regiment with your dog, he or she will do a blood test to ensure your companion isn't already infected. Heartworm Disease can only be verified through this blood work, so be sure to keep an eye open for changes in your dog's behavior, and get him to the Vet early if you suspect he may be infected. A regular grooming routine is a essential piece of catching a heartworm infestation early. More than just bathing, regularly brushing your canine's fur and being alert to the signs of mosquitoe bites will help you catch a possible infection early. If you're unsure about what to look for, consider enlisting the services of a professional dog groomer who can point out when these appear.