Now that we know heartworm is not good for our dog what exactly should we know? How can we help our pup fight those disgusting beasties!?
Heartworm Disease has been found in all 50 states.
While it is most common along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts from Gulf of Mexico to New Jersey and along the Mississippi River and it’s major tributaries, it has been found in all 50 states.Heartworms can be up to A FOOT LONG.
Male heartworms generally reach 4-6 inches, while the females can grow to be 10-12 inches. We don’t want to gross you out too much so we won’t show you an actual picture, but if you’re curious about what heartworms look like, look no further than a cup of Ramen noodles…Symptoms are classified into four stages, and some are nearly impossible to detect.
Stages 1 & 2 consist of an occasional cough and tiredness. The most alarming thing about this is that these symptoms are not particularly alarming. Most dogs have a bit of a sluggish side, especially if they get enough exercise.”
Stage 3: Symptoms include loss of body condition, cough, tiredness, trouble breathing, and signs of heart failure. An x-ray of the chest will reveal changes to the heart and lungs.”
Stage 4: Also known as Caval Syndrome. In this phase, blood is physically blocked by a large mass of worms and cannot travel to the heart. The only treatment option is immediate surgical removal. This is a very risky surgery, and even with the surgery, many dogs with Caval Syndrome do not make it. Not all heartworm disease turns into Caval Syndrome, but it does cause permanent damage to the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys.
The best treatment is PREVENTION.
A bit of a cliche, but only because it’s true. The scariest thing about this disease is that by the time symptoms are noticeable, it might already be too late. Luckily, there are many options for prevention, all of which require a prescription from a vet.There are several types of tests for heartworm disease.
The most common is called an antigen test. This detects specific proteins called antigens produced by female heartworms. This test can detect heartworms that are at least six to seven months old, but generally can’t detect anything less than five months.
There is more to learn and if you would like to know at least five more facts about heartworm please go to Bark Post.
Our dogs may not be able to tell us when heartworm disease has taken them but it is always best to be safe than sorry. We want our best friends around for a good long time!
