April Is National Heartworm Awareness Month
Do you know about heartworms?
Heartworm disease affects thousands of dogs and cats across Texas and the surrounding states every year. Mosquitoes carrying infectious heartworm larvae transmit this disease to a number of small animals, including our furry, four-legged friends, when they bite them and allow the larvae to enter the animals’ bloodstreams. If left untreated, the larvae grow into worm-like parasites and reside in the affected animals’ hearts and lungs.
Symptoms and Treatment
Heartworms can be difficult to detect until the affected animal has been infected for a matter of months. It is only through extensive physical examinations and advanced bloodwork that we can diagnose a pet with heartworm disease. Pets may begin showing signs of heartworms after a few months of becoming infected. Some warning signs to watch out for include:
Coughing
Abnormal lung sounds
Lethargy
Intolerance to exercise
Weight loss
Aside from these health issues, heartworm disease can also cause sudden death, so it is of the utmost importance to take the necessary preventative measures. It should also be noted that while dogs can be treated for this disease once they contract it, there is no known cure for our feline friends that have heartworms. The good news is that heartworm disease is preventable. There are multiple heartworm preventative care products available that can be administered orally or topically.
Do you know about heartworms?
Heartworm disease affects thousands of dogs and cats across Texas and the surrounding states every year. Mosquitoes carrying infectious heartworm larvae transmit this disease to a number of small animals, including our furry, four-legged friends, when they bite them and allow the larvae to enter the animals’ bloodstreams. If left untreated, the larvae grow into worm-like parasites and reside in the affected animals’ hearts and lungs.
Symptoms and Treatment
Heartworms can be difficult to detect until the affected animal has been infected for a matter of months. It is only through extensive physical examinations and advanced bloodwork that we can diagnose a pet with heartworm disease. Pets may begin showing signs of heartworms after a few months of becoming infected. Some warning signs to watch out for include:
Coughing
Abnormal lung sounds
Lethargy
Intolerance to exercise
Weight loss
Aside from these health issues, heartworm disease can also cause sudden death, so it is of the utmost importance to take the necessary preventative measures. It should also be noted that while dogs can be treated for this disease once they contract it, there is no known cure for our feline friends that have heartworms. The good news is that heartworm disease is preventable. There are multiple heartworm preventative care products available that can be administered orally or topically.
