Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal condition. Through their bite, infected mosquitoes transmit parasitic worm larvae to pets. Many myths surround heartworm disease and prevention, and far too many pets contract this completely preventable infection. Learn to separate heartworm disease fact from fiction, by reading our Commonwealth Animal Care team’ six myths regarding this life-threatening illness.
Myth #1: Heartworm disease is not a serious condition.
Heartworm disease can cause serious damage to the heart, lungs, and other organs of infected dogs and cats. When an infected mosquito feeds on your pet, they transmit microscopic parasite larvae (i.e., Dirofilaria immitis) through their bite, and the juvenile heartworm begins their journey toward the lungs and heart. Mature heartworms can reach up to 12 inches in length—and that’s only one worm. Infected dogs can have hundreds of adult heartworms at one time, causing inflammation and irreversible damage to the infected pet’s blood vessels and tissues.
Heartworm disease can cause coughing, fatigue, weight loss, and even death in severe cases. Treatment can be costly and complicated, requiring multiple rounds of medication and sometimes surgery. Prevention is the key to keeping pets safe from this deadly disease.
Myth #2: Only dogs contract heartworms
While dogs most commonly have heartworms, cats and other mammals can also contract the disease. Wild canids, such as coyotes and foxes, can be heartworm carriers, increasing the risk of transmission to domestic pets. Although cats and dogs can both contract heartworms, the disease manifests differently in each species. Dogs are natural heartworm hosts, meaning the parasite can carry out its life cycle from immature larva to reproducing adult within an infected dog’s body. Although cats are not natural heartworm hosts, the disease can be more dangerous to them because of their smaller size and severe immune system response. A single adult heartworm can lead to a cat’s death.
Myth #3: Heartworm disease signs are obvious in pets
Pets’ heartworm disease signs can be challenging to recognize. In many cases, you won’t realize your pet has heartworm disease until the condition has advanced. These deadly parasites can live in a dog’s body for five to seven years, reaching up to a foot in length before your four-legged friend shows disease signs. Heartworms take six months to reach adulthood, but the immature worms can wreak havoc in your pet’s body as soon as a mosquito transmits them. Once the conditions has advanced, disease signs include:
- Coughing
- Exercise intolerance
- Decreased appetite
- Weight loss
- Abdominal fluid accumulation
Unfortunately, one of the first feline heartworm disease signs can be collapse, or sudden death. Cats with heartworm disease typically display the following heartworm-associated respiratory disease (HARD) signs:
- Coughing
- Asthma-like attacks
- Periodic vomiting
- Anorexia
- Weight loss
- Difficulty walking
- Seizures
- Fainting
- Abdominal fluid accumulation
Myth #4: Heartworms affect pets only in warmer climates
While heartworms are more prevalent in warmer climates because of the large mosquito population, pets who live in colder regions are also at risk for the disease. Mosquitoes can survive in a vast temperature range, and, regardless of your geographic location, administering year-round prevention is the only way to keep your pet safe from heartworm disease.
Myth #5: Indoor pets do not need heartworm preventives
While indoor pets have a lower risk of contracting heartworms than outdoor pets, they are still at risk. Mosquitoes can easily enter your home, and a single mosquito bite can transmit heartworm larvae to an unprotected pet. In addition, indoor pets may be exposed to heartworms if they live in an area that has a high population of infected mosquitoes or if they are exposed to other infected pets.
Myth #6: Heartworm disease in pets is easy to cure
Heartworm disease treatment is available, but the process is complex and potentially risky. To treat your dog for heartworm disease, your veterinarian will administer a series of injections. However, these injections can cause severe side effects, including pain, lethargy, and anorexia. In addition, a dog’s heartworm disease treatment can be expensive, and to prevent treatment complications, you may be required to keep your dog confined during treatment and for a specified period after the injection series has been completed. Unfortunately, no safe treatment exists for feline heartworms—only supportive care.
Prevention is the best way to protect pets from heartworm disease. Several effective preventive medications are available, including monthly pills, topical treatments, and injectable products. These medications work by killing the heartworm larvae before they can mature. At your pet’s annual wellness examination, our veterinarian will perform a heartworm test. This disease can progress quickly, and treatment is much more effective in the early infection stage.
If you would like to discuss which heartworm preventive will work best for your pet, or they need their annual heartworm test, schedule an appointment with our Commonwealth Animal Care team.
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