Canine Heartworms

Canine heartworms are among the several dog health problems that you as a dog owner have to contend with during the duration of taking care of your canine friend. Among these, parasites are at the top of the list. Some of these parasites include fleas, heartworms, hookworms, roundworms, ticks, lice and a whole variety of other canine-related parasites. Several products and preventive measures have been introduced to deal with these parasites.

Among the problems listed above, heartworms are probably one of the most serious and the most dangerous. They are very common but are difficult to detect as symptoms do not manifest themselves many times until it is too late and these parasites have worked their way and heavily affected the dog's heart, often directly into the right ventricle. Dogs that have inadequate preventive medications are most susceptible of acquiring these parasites. However, with proper preventative care, including the proper medicine, parasitic attacks from heartworms can be effectively avoided.

Heartworms: What are they?

Heartworms are parasitic roundworms (dirofilaria immitis) that can infect dogs and attack the canine's heart eventually causing failure and death. These parasites are transmitted through insect bites particularly mosquitoes. There is a misconception that only dogs that remain constantly outside enclosed shelters are susceptible to heartworms. However, dogs naturally have the tendency to go outside and in doing so; they would also be susceptible to mosquito bites. In some areas and in countries where mosquitoes are prevalent, these insects can find their way and enter the home and prey on anyone from inside - including dogs.

Its important for you dog to undergo their regular health examinations from the veterinarian to check and address heartworms and other parasites. These routine check-ups may include fecal examinations, blood tests, blood smear and other hematological exams. Although heartworms are visible in size, they do not pass through fecal matter as readily as other parasitic worms thus the need for these examinations and tests.  

Dog Health Problems Associated with Heartworms

The main problem that you have to contend with in regards to heartworms is detection. It is often that dogs do not show any symptoms of heartworm infestation until such time that they have rendered severe damage to the heart, which usually proves to be fatal. There are some signs that pet owners should look out for including lethargic behavior, coughing, anemia, and difficulty in taking their exercises for longer periods of time. In such cases, it would be wise for the dog owner to have their pets thoroughly examined by the vet.

X-ray and other diagnostic tests are usually done to determine whether there is are signs of  heartworm infestation or not. If these test showed up positive, there is no recourse but to take on extensive medications and therapy in order to save the pet's life.

Prevention is the key to dealing with heartworms and this should be done at the early periods after birth. Usually in the form of a pill, these medicines provide the dogs a resistance to these parasites and prevent them from developing. Still, preventive medicines can only address up to 98 percent of the possibility for infestation. That is why regular check-ups and follow-up vaccinations are very important. 

Effective Means to Deal with Heartworms

Heartworm preventive medications come in the form of a pills that contain the active ingredient ivermectin. To make them take these medications, they would come as beef flavored tablets or they can be added to beef flavored chunks that would make them more appealing to these canine friends.

Another preventative measure is to protect these dogs from insect bites. One way is to provide them with mosquito resistant shelters. It would also be wise to avoid stagnant water in the vicinity to prevent such mosquitoes from breeding.

Heartworms are serious dog health problems that are proven fatal for these pets. But with proper preventive care and maintenance, such problems can be avoided and the health and wellbeing of your wonderful dog can be ensured.