According to the American Heartworm Society (AHS), heartworm is a serious and potentially fatal disease that occurs when female heartworms release their young into an animal's bloodstream. Mosquitoes spread the disease by transferring infected blood from one animal to another through their bite. Symptoms of canine heartworm are persistent cough, reluctance to exercise, unusual fatigue, and reduced appetite. Testing for canine heartworm must be done by a qualified veterinarian.
Instructions
Take your dog to the veterinarian for a physical examination and testing if you suspect he has been exposed to canine heartworm disease. Heartworm testing is recommended annually and anytime a dog is starting a new heartworm preventative program or restarting an old one.
Have a blood sample from your dog tested for heartworm antigens. According to the Heartworm Society, antigen tests are successful in detecting female heartworms that are at least 7 months old, but not reliable with infections of less than 5 months old.
Follow up with a radiographic examination if the antigen test is positive or inconclusive. X-rays of the heart and lungs are the best way to evaluate the progress of the disease and develop a prognosis. Most dogs can be successfully treated for heartworm, but the treatment requires the dog to be hospitalized and receive carefully administered doses of an organic arsenical drug.