Canine Heartworm Disease is caused by an invasion of heartworms (dirofilaris immitis) in the large right heart chamber of the affected dog. The worms often invade the blood vessels leading to the lungs as well. These worms can seriously interfere with the heart’s ability to pump blood and usually result in heart failure and death if not treated. The worms can also cause an allergic reaction in the lungs, as well as pneumonia, bleeding in the lungs, anemia, liver and kidney disease.
Heartworm infestations are very common in the Metro-East! At Horseshoe Lake Animal Hospital, we diagnose an average of one new case a week. The disease is so common because the parasite is transmitted by mosquitoes. Some people believe that indoor dogs can’t get heartworms. This is wrong! We see many “house dogs” with heartworms. A dog with heartworms can be treated, and usually cured if diagnosed early, but the treatment can be expensive and hard on the dog.
The good news is heartworms can be easily prevented. There is an inexpensive once-a-month pill (Interceptor) which, when given year-round, is guaranteed to prevent heartworms. Any dog over six months of age must be tested for heartworms before starting on Interceptor. Heartworm preventative can not be bought over-the-counter, so if you think you’re giving your dog preventative and you purchased it anywhere but from a veterinarian – it isn’t heartworm preventative! For your dog’s sake, please have him/her tested and put on preventative today!
