Heartworm is a serious and sometimes fatal condition in dogs. The condition is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. When an infected mosquito bites a dog, the worm larvae enter the dog's body and then develops into mature adult worms. These worms move into the heart and lungs of the dog, which can eventually cause damage to the organs. Severity of symptoms of heartworm infection typically depends on the number of worms present, according to the American Heartworm Society. Symptoms tend to be subtle at first and then gradually become more apparent.
-
Cough
-
A dog who has heartworm may develop a cough as a result of the infestation. The cough is typically soft. Some dogs may even cough up bloody sputum. In some cases, the worms themselves can be coughed up and may be visible in the sputum, according to the University of Florida IFAS Extension.
Fatigue
-
Dogs with heartworm may not be as active and playful as they once were. They can tire more easily and may not be able to tolerate a lot of physical activity or exertion.
Weight Loss
-
Dogs may begin to lose weight if they have a heartworm infection. In some cases, this may occur because the dog has a limited appetite, but not all dogs have a noticeable decline in appetite when they have heartworm.
Respiratory Symptoms
-
Dogs may appear to have more difficulty breathing when they have a heartworm infection. For example, you might notice that the dog is breathing more rapidly or taking shallower breaths. Your dog might also appear to be short of breath even when at rest.
Seizures
-
Dogs with a severe case of heartworm may have seizures or temporarily lose consciousness because the worms are reducing blood flow to the brain, according to the American Heartworm Society. In dogs with severe heartworm disease, it's also common to see a swollen abdominal cavity. In the worst cases, the dog can collapse and die suddenly because of the damage the worms have caused to the internal organs.
-