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mosquito flagWhy all the fuss about Heartworm?

Heartworm is spread by mosquitoes and has become increasingly more prevalent with each passing year.  All it takes for a mosquito to become a carrier of the parasite is for the mosquito to bite one dog that has heartworm.  And all it takes for an unprotected dog to become infested with heartworm is to be bitten by one of those mosquitoes.  So, not only are dogs who are not on heartworm preventative vulnerable to becoming infected themselves, but once they are (from that single bite by a carrier mosquito), they then become the means of passing it along to others by being a "reservoir" of the heartworm parasite for any mosquito who bites it from that moment on.  Cats can get heartworm as well, though their bodies handle the infestation somewhat differently.  An infected dog can have a heart that is teeming with worms, while cats that get heartworm usually only have one or two.  It can still be a concern, so cats who are permitted outdoors should also be on preventative measures.

 

Heartworm is fatal if not treated.  Though it may take years for a dog to succumb and a relatively long time to become symptomatic, it is deadly nonetheless.  Heartworm can be treated, but treatment is costly ($400 -$600 in most cases).  Further, the injections given to treat it are very painful for the dog. Secondly, it is imperative that the recovering dog is not allowed to become very active - no running, jumping, or long walks - during the course of treatment which usually lasts about two months.  The reason for this is because if the dog’s heart rate becomes elevated while the parasites are dying, a piece of one could break off and block a blood vessel in much the same way as a blood clot will, and that can prove fatal as well.  In addition to the painful shots which are injected into the deep muscles of the dog’s hips, the treatment also includes an oral medication.  Once the infected dog has completed the course of treatment (usually about two months) and tests negative, they are considered "cured".  In other words, there should be no lasting repercussions other than in severely advanced cases. 

 

But it can all be prevented!  Preventative treatment is given on a monthly basis either by chewable tablet or topical application, depending on your preference and vet's recommendation.  The preventative meds can be purchased online, but you still must have a prescription for it from your vet.  Dogs should be tested annually, and protection must be given in any month where mosquitoes may be present - usually March through November in this area, though the season can begin earlier or end later depending on the weather.  Some people just choose to treat all year round and in those cases, annual testing usually is not necessary.  The test will only show positive on an infestation of at least six months.  So, a dog that has recently been infected will not test positive even though they may actually have heartworm at the time of the test.  Heartworm is not contagious to other dogs (except if a mosquito bites the infected one and then bites an uninfected one, of course.) 

 

Heartworm is MUCH more common than most people realize. Rose’s Rescue has treated approximately 30 heartworm positive dogs in the last several years.  At one point in the past, our local pound had six heartworm positive dogs there, waiting for someone to adopt them who would also be willing to spend the money on their treatment.  It's truly heartbreaking.  Please keep your pets protected against this deadly disease and help spread the word about how epidemic it has become!

 

To date, Rose's Rescue has treated between 30 and 40 dogs for heartworm, many of who we don't have photos of.  Below is a collage of a just few of the "Faces of Heartworm" that we are happy to say are now living lives heartworm-free!

one hw sm