Heartworm can be a devastating disease for dogs. If the illness is diagnosed early, a dog can be cured. A dog is infected when he is bitten by a mosquito carrying infected larvae. The larvae develop into adults over several months and, as the disease progresses, infects the dog's heart. Your vet can diagnose heartworm with a blood test. This illness can be prevented by using monthly heartworm medication.
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Coughing or Wheezing
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A dry, soft cough is one of the earliest symptoms. When the parasites have moved from the heart to the lungs it impairs the dog's breathing, making hm cough. They also linger in the veins leading in and out of the heart, causing wheezing and labored breathing. If not diagnosed, the parasites will eventually make their way to every organ in the body.
Change in Activity Level
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Heartworm contributes to a weakened body, and most infected dogs refrain from moving around and become lethargic. Physical activity makes it hard for him to breathe. If the dog's heart is working overtime, it's painful for the dog. A dog with heartworm will sleep most of the time.
Loss of Appetite or Weight Loss
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It's important to watch your dog's appetite, as a loss of appetite or weight loss could be a sign of a health condition such as heartworm.
Jaundice
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Jaundice occurs when the liver is in distress. As the parasites move from organ to organ, health conditions such as jaundice will emerge. If heartworm has progressed this far, surgery will be required in order to remove the heartworms. Heartworm medication will not be effective at this stage of the disease.
Loss of Consciousness or Collapse
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A dog suffering from the last stages of heartworm will eventually lose consciousness and die.
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