Symptoms & Treatment of Heartworm in Dogs: A Comprehens

How Do Dogs Get Infected with Heartworms?

Heartworms are transmitted through the bite of mosquitoes. Heartworm disease is highly prevalent in warm and humid climates, affecting dogs of all breeds, ages, and living conditions—whether they are indoors or outdoors—yearround.

● When a mosquito bites a dog already infected with heartworms, it ingests immature microfilariae during the feeding process.

● After 23 weeks, these microfilariae develop into infective thirdstage larvae within the mosquito. If the mosquito then bites a healthy dog, it can transmit these larvae, which penetrate the skin and migrate through tissues, eventually entering the bloodstream and moving towards the pulmonary artery and heart.

● Approximately six months later, the larvae mature into adult worms and reside in the pulmonary artery and right ventricle, severely damaging the dog's heart and lung function. The mature female worms reproduce microfilariae, which then enter the bloodstream of the infected dog.

What Are the Symptoms of Heartworm Infection in Dogs?

Common symptoms include:

● Coughing

● Lethargy and decreased appetite

● Reduced endurance during exercise, along with shortness of breath and exhaustion

● Difficulty breathing

● In severe cases, symptoms may include coughing up blood, anemia, ascites, and failure of the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys, which can lead to death!

Initial symptoms of heartworm infection in dogs are often mild, making it difficult for pet owners to detect. By the time noticeable symptoms appear, the condition is often quite severe.

How to Protect Your Dog from Heartworms

Prevention is the best strategy to eliminate heartworm disease. Since dogs can be infected with heartworms from the moment they are born, it is recommended to start a heartworm prevention plan for your furry friend as early as 6 weeks of age.

Prevention is better than cure, and administering heartworm preventive medication monthly is the safest, most costeffective, and simplest way to maintain your dog's health.

What Are Common Intestinal Parasites in Dogs?

Roundworms

Roundworms can be transmitted through the mouth, placenta, and soil. They are infectious to dogs of all ages, but they pose a significant threat to puppies. These parasites reside in the dog's intestines, absorb nutrients, and can even cause intestinal blockage. Infection can lead to diarrhea, weakness, dull coat, distended abdomen, and malnutrition. In severe cases, they can cause liver and lung damage.

Hookworms

Hookworms can be transmitted through the mouth, skin, and placenta. They attach to the dog's intestinal wall, feed on blood, and remove parts of the intestinal tissue, leading to anemia and inflammation. Severe infections can cause anemia, weight loss, and even death.

whipworms

whipworms are transmitted through the mouth. They reside in the dog's cecum and colon. Puppies may experience stunted growth and anemia. In severe cases, they can cause persistent diarrhea, bloody stools, cecal and colonic inflammation.

Tapeworms

Tapeworms are transmitted by fleas. A heavy tapeworm infestation can lead to malnutrition, weight loss, and gastrointestinal diseases caused by worm blockages in the intestines. Dogs may exhibit anal itching and drag their rear ends across the ground.

Among roundworms and hookworms, dogs can become infected by ingesting soil containing worm eggs or larvae, contaminated fur or feces, or by larvae penetrating the skin. Children and individuals with compromised immune systems are particularly susceptible. The symptoms of human infection can vary greatly, ranging from asymptomatic infections to mild discomfort. However, these parasites can also severely harm health, potentially causing symptoms such as abdominal pain, pneumonia, skin ulcers, and blindness.

If an individual has a compromised immune system and does not receive proper treatment, severe complications may arise.