The heartworm or canine dirofilariosis is a disease that dogs, other animals can suffer domestic as cats and ferrets, and even people.It is usually transmitted by infected phlebotomes, which act as vectors of this pathology, and is considered one of the parasitic diseases most serious and common in dogs.
As it is a pathology that is sometimes asymptomatic but that can also cause the death of the dog, it is vital to carry out adequate preventive medicine, since the treatment of the heartworm is complex and long.
If you want to know more about this parasite that can affect the health of your dog, keep reading this article of Animals and Pets Online in which we will show you everything you need to know about the heartworm in dogs, next to the most common symptoms of this disease, treatment to follow or prevention measures.
What is heartworm disease?
Canine dirofilariosis is a disease that was first detected in felines around 1920.It consists of a parasitic disease caused by a nematode called Dirofilaria immitis , which mainly parasites The heart and pulmonary arteries of dogs through the blood supply.They usually accumulate in the right ventricle and in the blood vessels of the lungs, where they develop to reach 15 or 30 cm in length.
This Parasitosis hinders blood flow in a short time, because its reproduction is especially rapid; in fact, more than 100 worms can be found in an advanced severe infestation.
Adult nematodes feed on the nutrients present in the blood of the affected dog and can live between 5 and 7 years inside the body, until death from cardiac arrest occurs.
How is the heartworm transmitted?
This disease is transmitted by a vector, as is the case of the phlebotome, however, it can also be spread during the gestation of the dog to unborn puppies.
vector usually absorbs the parasite in its youngest phase, after feeding on the blood of an infected individual.Inside the phlebotome, over two or three weeks, the larvae will develop until they become still immature worms.When the mosquito bites another individual, it transmits the immature worms and thus begins the disease of the heartworm in a dog until that healthy moment.
The immature worms will develop in tissues of the affected animal and Finally, as adults become older, they will stay in the heart and pulmonary arteries through the blood supply to continue their life cycle.Since the parasites enter the body of a dog until they reach maturity they can e Between 80 and 120 days.
It is unlikely that we will find adult Dirofilaria immitis worms in puppy dogs under 7 months, however, if we can find small worms still in the process of maturation , known as "microfilariae." This happens only in case of direct infection, when the mother of the puppies suffers from the disease and, during pregnancy, the microfilariae are transmitted through the placenta to the organism of the developing puppies.
All this makes the infested puppy a possible transmitter of the disease, in addition to experiencing it, since if a phlebotome itches, it will acquire the parasites and can transmit it to other individuals.
This Parasitosis affects not only dogs, but also a large number of animal species among which we can mention cats, ferrets, coyotes and even humans, as it is one of the diseases that dogs transmit to humans and vice versa., current The mind is extended throughout the planet, except in the Antarctica area, the wetlands being the most conducive in terms of transmission risk.
In Spain the areas with the highest incidence of this parasitosis they are the Canary Islands and, within the peninsula, the southwest, the Delta del Ebro and the south of the Valencian Community.Even so, the heartworm can be found throughout the Iberian Peninsula, especially in times of more heat and humidity.In addition, there are more than seventy different species of mosquitoes that can transmit the parasite Dirofilaria immitis .
Heartworm symptoms in dogs
Individuals who have been infested may be asymptomatic, that is, they do not have obvious signs caused by this pathology.This is precisely the reason why heartworm disease is usually detected when it is already in advanced status.
The symptoms of dirofilariosis in most common dogs are:
- Generalized tiredness
- Exercise intolerance
- Increase of heart rhythm
- Soft cough and shortness of breath
- Nasal hemorrhages
- Oral bleeding
- Apathy and depression
- Weight loss
- Fainting
- Anorexia (the dog does not want to eat)
- Ascites
- Cardiac arrest
It is of vital importance to go to a veterinary clinic if we observe any of the symptoms mentioned above in order to determine if the cause is due to the presence of the heartworm or canine dirofilariosis.
Heartworm diagnosis in dogs
It is possible to diagnose the presence of the heartworm in the dog through various laboratory tests, including a blood test, which will show the infection and other common symptoms of the disease, such as anemia , coagulation problems, kidney problems and elevated liver transaminases.The latter is because the kidneys and liver are being affected.
Since false negatives can occur, X-rays may also be necessary or ultrasound, which will confirm the presence of the heartworm in the dog's organism.
Depending on the state of the disease development, the prognosis can be very variable and even reserved.
Treatment for heartworm in dogs
Although there is no general treatment to treat heartworm disease, diagnostic tests will help the veterinarian determine how the treatment should be performed, always taking into account the patient's health status and the body's ability to respond positively.
However, although the process can be complicated in some cases, it is a treatable disease if it is diagnosed promptly and an effective treatment is done to eliminate the worms adults and larvae.Still, remember that in advanced states it can be very complicated to treat and that in some cases the death of the dog is inevitable.
The treatment is usually long, lengthening several months, and It usually begins with the administration of medication to expel the microfilariae and the larvae from the body, followed by several injections to eliminate the adult worms.If this first phase of the treatment has been successful, a lifelong medication is continued to prevent microfilariae.It may also be necessary to apply medication to alleviate the symptoms experienced by the dog and support drugs for the affected organs, including the kidney and liver..
Finally should provide vitamins and a diet that helps strengthen the health of our dog, in addition to permanently establishing a preventive plan so that the infestation is not repeated.
It is vital that during the parasite expulsion treatment, the affected dog keeps a lot of rest to avoid obstructions and damages the affected organs.When the dog is recovered, it should resume the activity.normal gradually, following the recommendations of the veterinarian.
It is important to remember that the treatment is aggressive, so it will leave a mark on the health of our faithful companion.For this reason we should s help you regain your strength and your health once the treatment is finished, while we will try for the duration of the treatment to strengthen the health of the dog following the veterinary advice provided by the specialist.
Preventive treatment of heartworm in dogs
As it is such a serious parasitic pathology, which can also affect other animals and people, it is vital to carry out a preventive medicine plan prescribed by our trusted veterinarian.If you wonder how to prevent the heartworm in dogs, then we explain the best measures.
Because it is an asymptomatic disease in some cases, it is very advisable to make a plan monthly deworming , both external and internal, to help us prevent an infestation of the heartworm in the dog.Likewise, we must strictly follow the deworming calendar, in addition to seeing the specialist every six or twelve months To carry out control visits that guarantee the good state of health of the dog and the absence of parasitic diseases.
Following the advice of our veterinarian and using veterinary prescription products, we will achieve Protect the dog and the whole family.Remember, because we love you, we protect you, deworm your pet.
This article is merely informative, in Animals and Pets Online we have no power to prescribe veterinary treatments or make any type of diagnosis.We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian in the event that he presents any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Heartworm in dogs-Symptoms, treatment and prevention , we recommend that you enter our section of parasitic diseases.
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