Heartworm Treatment Risk for Dogs

Mosquitoes are the primary cause for the spread of heartworm disease. Heartworm disease is a common disease that affects dogs throughout the world except in Antarctica. Dogs in some areas of the United States are at higher risks. The highest rates of heartworm infections in the United States are found within 150 miles of the Atlantic coast, from New Jersey to Texas, and along the Mississippi River. Heartworm preventative supplements will prevent the spread of infection to your pet. However, if you find that your beloved pet has been infected with heartworms, only a veterinarian should provide treatment.

  1. What Is Heartworm Disease?

    • Mosquitoes are the carriers of heartworm infection.

      Mosquitoes are the primary carriers of heartworm parasites during the parasites' larval stage. The name for heartworm larvae is microfilariae. The life cycle of the heartworm begins when a mosquito bites a dog that is infected with microfilariae. The mosquito then ingests the microfilariae. When the mosquito bites an uninfected animal, the microfilariae pass to the new host. If your dog or cat is not protected with a preventative heartwormer, the microfilariae will then flourish in the new host; this cycle takes about 10 days to complete.

    The Lifecycle of Heartworm

    • Heartworms can make your pet very sick.

      Once the mosquito introduces the microfilariae into the new host, the microfilariae course through the dog's bloodstream. Eventually, the microfilariae attach to the heart and lungs, where they grow into adult heartworms. Female heartworms grow to a length of at least 14 inches. Male heartworms' growth equals about half the size of the females'. Additionally, female heartworms will produce thousands of microfilariae each day. These new microfilariae can live as long as three years, while they wait for mosquitoes to pick them up and begin the infection cycle again. An adult dog can have up to 300 heartworms.

    What Can Heartworms Do to My Dog?

    • If left untreated, heartworms can destroy the heart and other major organs.

      Microfilariae may block blood flow in small vessels and affect blood circulation. However, adult heartworms cause major health problems for dogs. Heartworms look like a jumbled mass of thin white wires. This jumbled mass of heartworms clog the heart and blood vessels near the heart. Additionally, heartworms can obstruct proper heart valve function. Heartworms interfere with proper cardiovascular function; therefore, blood supply to the other organs such as the liver, kidneys and lungs is reduced. These major organs cannot function properly because they do not receive the necessary oxygen and nutrients from the blood. Heartworms can destroy organ tissues, manifesting as symptoms such as coughing, weakness and anemia. If a heartworm infection goes untreated, these major organs may fail or work so poorly that your dog may die--often unexpectedly from exertion or excitement.

    Symptoms of Heartworms

    • If notice heartworm symptoms in your dog, see a vet as soon as possible.

      Dogs may not show symptoms of heartworms for up to two years, which means the disease is often advanced before it's discovered. Your dog may show certain symptoms at different stages of infection. With a mild infection, your dog may cough. With moderate infection, your dog may have difficulty exercising, may exhibit a cough and unusual lung sounds. With severe infection, your dog might exhibit an inability to exercise, a cough, difficulty breathing, unusual lung sounds, an enlarged liver, temporary loss of consciousness (caused by poor blood flow), fluid buildup in the abdomen, unusual heart sounds, weight loss, decreased energy and death. If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, visit your veternarian as soon as possible.

    Treatment for Heartworms

    • Only veterinarians should administer heartworm treatment.

      Only a veterinarian should administer heartworm treatment, since it is a serious procedure and the drugs that kill heartworms contain a chemical derived from arsenic. The more advanced cases of heartworms require stronger doses of medication, which can pose serious health threats to the animal. In some cases, surgery may be required.

    Heartworm Treatment Risks

    • Heartworm treatment can pose serious health risks to your dog.

      Heartworm treatments will make your dog's liver and kidneys work hard in order to expel the drugs and dead heartworms from the body. The drugs often cause dogs to become nauseous, lose their appetite and vomit; they often lose weight as a result. For several weeks after treatment, dogs need to be kept inactive and secluded because of the harshness of the side effects. In very serious infections, treatment may cause the heartworms to become dislodged from the heart. When this happens, the heartworms may obstruct the blood vessels and cause death to your dog. A monthly dose of a heartworm preventative supplement can help your dog avoid the serious risks, pain and suffering that accompanies heartworm infestation. Heartworm preventative is based upon your dog's weight; therefore, it is best to consult with your veterinarian for the best heartworm preventative for your dog.