How do dogs get infected with heartworm?

Heartworm has a complicated life cycle. Dogs become infected with microfilaria, an immature form of heartworm which circulates in the bloodstream.  Microfilariae are sucked up by mosquitoes when feeding on the blood of infected dogs. The immature parasite develops into a heartworm larva inside the mosquito, then a single bite from a carrier mosquito can infect your pet (dog or cat). These Heartworm larvae can be detected by your vet in a blood smear by looking under a microscope!

How does heartworm cause disease?

In their larval stages the worms migrate through vessels and lung tissue causing inflammation and permanent damage to these structures. As the worms mature in the heart they can eventually cause a physical blockage as well as thickening of the heart and associated blood vessels. If left untreated the resultant pressure and changes to the heart muscle will result in heart failure and eventually death.

What are the signs that my dog may have heartworm?

Heartworm can take years to mature, therefore your pet may be suffering from heartworm infection for many years until signs develop. In the early stages signs of heartworm disease you may notice the following signs: coughing, lethargy and reluctance to exercise. In the later stages of disease, as the heart starts to fail your pet will likely develop the following: harsh coughing, difficulty breathing, inappetence, distended abdomen, inability to exercise and death.

How can I prevent my pet from getting heartworm?

Thankfully, heartworm is very easy to prevent and should form part of your pet’s health care routine. We have very effective preventative treatment options available including tablets, chews, spot-on's and even an annual injection. Heartworm prevention should be started when your dog is a puppy and continued consistently throughout their life. If your pet has not been on heartworm prevention we strongly recommend a heartworm test prior to starting a prevention program.

How to diagnose heartworm disease ?

If your pet has not consistently had heartworm tablets every 30 days or the injection annually then your pet may have heartworm. Book an appointment with your vet for a heartworm test. The test takes 10 minutes and involves taking a drop of blood.

What if my dog has been diagnosed with heartworm disease?

Heartworm treatment involves treatment to kill all stages of heartworm present in your pet. Unfortunately the adult heart worms are difficult to kill and therefore treatment takes a number of months and multiple visits to the vet. If detected in the earlier stages the prognosis after heartworm treatment is good. However, if your pet is showing signs of later disease and has significant damage to their heart they may need continuing supportive care after treatment. This is why its so important to start treatment as soon as possible!