Consequences of Not Treating Heartworms

Heartworms (Dirofilaria immitis) are parasites that lodge themselves in the hearts of our pets. No effective treatment exists for cats, so the result of heartworms in cats is likely death. Populations of wild animals, such as wolves and foxes, also carry heartworms, and are left untreated due to their limited contact with people and medication. These wild mammal populations are a blood and heartworm source for mosquitoes.

  1. Heartworm Life Cycle

    • Heartworm larvae are called "microfilariae" and are carried by infected mosquitoes. Pets, once bitten by an infected mosquito, become infected with these larvae. After infection, a mammal pet's blood will be filled with immature heartworms. Over the next few months, the worms will migrate through the pet's tissues, eventually settling in the heart and lungs. The worms can grow between 7 and 11 inches long once settled in the heart. Heartworms can show up in the heart in as little as four weeks after infection. If left untreated, they will cause significant damage and disease to the heart and lungs, followed by death. These heartworms reproduce and create more immature worms, and the pet can at anytime be bitten by another mosquito, starting the heartworm life cycle over.

    Symptoms

    • The symptoms of heartworms are the same for most pets. Since heartworms infect the respiratory and circulatory systems of their victims, acute symptoms of heartworms are collapse from exhaustion, convulsions and sudden death. Symptoms of chronic infection include coughing, difficulty breathing, general asthmatic symptoms, vomiting, sluggishness and weight loss. If your pet is experiencing any of these symptoms, take it to a veterinarian immediately.

    Treament of Heartworm Disease

    • A veterinarian can perform a simple blood test to find out if a pet is infected with heartworms. Although dogs can be treated for heartworm disease, there still is no known cure for cats. Treatment is costly and dangerous to your pet, but once infected it is the only option for survival. To kill the living heartworms inside a living heart requires multiple injections of Immiticide, which are very hard on dogs. Your dog should rest completely for four to six weeks after treatment.

    Prevention

    • Since pets are easily infected with heartworms, heartworm prevention should be practiced beginning when your dog or cat is very young. Prevention is the best way to keep your pet from becoming infected. A number of drugs exist for the prevention of heartworms in dogs and cats, and doses are given generally monthly or biannually. Heartworm medications that protect against other parasites as well are wonderfully cost-effective. Some medications, such as Revolution, consist of a combination of medicines and are applied to the back of the neck instead of being ingested. Revolution guards against fleas, flea eggs, ear mites and ticks as well as heartworms.

      Another medication, called Interceptor, protects against round and intestinal worms as well as heartworms. Your veterinarian will help you decide which preventative measure is best for your pet.