How to know if dog has heartworm

Now that we know a little about heartworm, how do dogs get it? 

Heartworm are transmitted between dogs by mosquitoes. Adult female heartworm living in an infested dog produce tiny juvenile worms called microfilariae. When a mosquito takes a blood meal from a dog with circulating microfilariae, some of these are taken up. After a short period of development in the mosquito, these juvenile worms can be passed to a new dog when the mosquito takes another blood meal.  

Heartworm Treatment for Dogs

If you are worried that your dog might have heartworm, it is best to take them to the vet for testing, and if required, treatment. Remember, as noticeable symptoms of heartworm disease tend to arise quite late in the infestation, it is best to get your dog checked by your veterinarian at the first sign of illness.

Heartworm treatment for dogs diagnosed with adult heartworm infection involves the use of medications prescribed by your veterinarian. Treatment is not without risk, so it’s important to commence prevention treatments straight away to ensure they do not become re-infected.

Heartworm Prevention for Dogs

Luckily, over the counter heartworm prevention for dogs is readily available. For the best heartworm and flea prevention combined with additional protection from mites, ticks and intestinal worms, we recommend NexGard SPECTRA®. For the best chewable heartworm tablets for dogs, try HEARTGARD30® PLUS, a combination wormer that not only protects against heartworm, but also hookworms and roundworms. It is important to commence heartworm prevention for puppies early in their life.  With NexGard SPECTRA, heartworm prevention can begin from 8 weeks of age, ensuring your puppy is protected against heartworm from the get-go. 

Heartworm in Dogs FAQ

Take a look at some frequently asked questions about heartworm in dogs:

• What are the side effects of heartworms? 

Heartworms cause severe damage to a dog’s heart, lungs, and associated blood vessels. Signs associated with heartworm disease include:

• Coughing 
• Lethargy
• Trouble breathing
• Weight loss

• How long can a dog live with heartworms? 

How long a dog can live with heartworms varies greatly, depending on factors such as the number of worms present and the dog’s general health. Left untreated though, an infestation with these parasites can be fatal.

• What are the first signs of heartworms in dogs? 

Look out for coughing and lethargy, as these are two of the first signs that your dog has heartworms.

• Can heartworms be passed from dog to dog? 

Heartworms can’t be passed on by contact with other dogs. They can only be spread through the bite of a mosquito.

• How do puppies get heartworms?

A puppy will get heartworm by being bitten by a mosquito carrying microfilariae.

• Do dogs poop out heartworms? 

No, heartworms are not passed in faeces like some other worms.

• How do humans get heartworms from dogs? 

The same as with dog to dog transmission, humans can only get heartworms through mosquito bites. Heartworms don’t like to live in humans so cases are very rare.

• Why is my dog coughing after heartworm treatment?

If your dog is diagnosed with heartworm, the treatment administered by your vet kills worms present in the blood vessels of the lungs and can result in significant inflammation, leading to coughing.  If your dog has been treated for heartworm, strictly follow the advice of your vet.

• Why is my dog vomiting after heartworm treatment?

If you dog is diagnosed with heartworm, the treatment administered by your vet to kill the worms may be associated with side effects, including vomiting. There are many causes of vomiting in dogs. If your dog is vomiting after receiving vet-administered treatment for heartworm, it is best to contact them for advice.  

• What is the cost of dog heartworm treatment?

When a dog becomes infested with heartworm, treatment can be costly and not without risk, so prevention is a far wiser approach. Simple monthly dosing with NexGard SPECTRA or HEARTGARD30  PLUS will prevent heartworm in dogs. 

Want more information on the treatments available for your dog or puppy? Learn more about HEARTGARD30  PLUS and NexGard SPECTRA for protection against heartworm and other parasites. 
 

PET-0348-2020

When you called your neighbor this afternoon to see if she'd like to take a walk over to the dog park — with both of your pets, of course — you were shocked to learn that both your friend and her dog wouldn't be able to attend. She just returned home from the veterinarian's office after learning that her dog has heartworms, and she wanted him to relax and recuperate.

Now, you've heard the term, but you're not quite sure what happens with heartworms in dogs. Will her dog be alright? Could her pet have infected yours?

What Are Heartworms in Dogs?

Heartworm disease is a serious condition in which a parasite called Dirofilaria immitis takes up residence in your dog's body, specifically in his heart, lungs and associated blood vessels. This condition is serious as it can cause heart failure, lung disease and possibly even death, while also exacerbating other conditions.

Are you wondering if heartworms are in fact actual worms that are living in your dog's body? Well, yes. As gross as that may sound, these parasites develop from larvae into adult worms. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), they can live for five to seven years in your dog's body, and grow four to six inches long in males and ten to twelve inches in females. Take a second to digest that information!

How Can Your Dog Get Heartworms?

Heartworm disease is spread when an infected mosquito bites a dog, leaving behind microfilariae, which then become larvae and mature into adult heartworms. After mating with a male heartworm, the adult female discharges offspring into the dog's bloodstream, continuing the life cycle yet again.

The good news is that infected dogs are not contagious (so, your friend and her pet could have gone to the dog park with you!). An infected dog cannot get any other dogs sick just by being around them. The other dogs would need to get bit by an infected mosquito to contract heartworm disease themselves.

Look Out for These Heartworm Symptoms

According to the FDA, there are four stages of heartworm disease, and symptoms appear differently in each stage. In Class 1, you may not notice any symptoms, and if you do, it would only be a light cough. Class 2 is when symptoms start to appear. You might notice that your dog is more fatigued after being active or you may notice an occasional cough. Class 3 symptoms will be more obvious and include a persistent cough. Your dog will also tire after just light activity. You may also notice some trouble breathing with a Class 3 diagnosis.

Finally, there's Class 4, also known as caval syndrome. This occurs when there are so many worms that they block the blood flow back to your dog's heart, and it requires immediate surgery. Class 4 disease is fatal if untreated. Not all dogs with heartworm disease develop into this stage, but it's important to identify what class a dog may be experiencing so that it doesn't potentially develop into the worst-case scenario.

If you're ever concerned that your dog is experiencing any heartworm symptoms, it's important to make an appointment right away with your pet's veterinarian. The vet will draw blood to check for the presence of a heartworm infection in your dog. If your dog is infected, he or she can then recommend medicine or surgery for treatment, depending on how ill your dog is.

How Can You Prevent Heartworms?

The good news is that there are medications your dog can take to prevent heartworm infection. Your vet can prescribe a topical agent or oral pill to be taken every month. It's important to work all year long to prevent heartworms (even if there are no mosquitoes flying by in the winter), so try not to miss a dose to keep your dog safe and healthy. With diligent prevention, you may never even have to worry, but it's always smart to be on alert for any health changes in your pets. For more information regarding heartworms you can visit the Heartworm Society website. Also, be sure to talk to your vet at your pup's next checkup about heartworm testing and prevention to ensure your pup stays as healthy as possible.

Erin Ollila

Erin Ollila believes in the power of words and how a message can inform—and even transform—its intended audience. Her writing can be found all over the internet and in print, and includes interviews, ghostwriting, blog posts, and creative nonfiction. Erin is a geek for SEO and all things social media. She graduated from Fairfield University with an M.F.A. in Creative Writing. Reach out to her on Twitter @ReinventingErin or learn more about her at http://erinollila.com.