If you believe that your pet has heartworms it is vital that you contact your veterinarian immediately!! Heartworms are a very dangerous parasite and must be diagnosed and treated by your pets doctor.

The cycle of the heartworm begins with an infected dog that has the tiny microfilaria (immature heartworms) circulating throughout it's bloodstream.  Once a mosquito bites the infected animal it may also take in the microfilaria.  Within 2-3 weeks the larvae will continue to grow into an infective stage.  They will then be passed into an animal when the mosquito feeds off of it.

Once the heartworm has been introduced into a healthy pet where they migrate to the blood vessels of the lung, mature and move to the heart. Once in the heart the worms can grow up to 14 inches causing problems with the heart and lungs. 

Symptoms/Diagnosis

Because of the blockage as the accumulation of heartworms grows,   heart valves and arteries to the lungs are infected.  This will affect the normal exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide causing coughing, listlessness, and lack of interest in physical activities. In cats sudden death may occur.

The heartworm must have reached maturity before it can be detected by the occult or microfilaria testing. (Puppies less than 6 months old do not need testing before starting the preventative.) Once testing positive for heartworms your veterinarian may require x-rays of the heart and blood tests to determine how much damage has been done before beginning treatment.

Treatment/Prevention

Dogs

Once your dog has been diagnosed with heartworms your veterinarian may recommend using Immiticide for treatment. This medication has fewer side affects than previous treatments. When the heartworms are killed during the use of medications your pet faces the risk of blockage of the flow of blood to the lungs, which will cause death. Immiticide, because of the timing in heartworm deaths decreases the chance of this occurring. The chance is still there but at a much reduced rate.

Your dog will be given 1 injection daily over a 2 day period. During the next 6 weeks it is very important that you keep your pet as calm and quiet as possible to discourage the release of large amounts of the dead worms into the bloodstream thus causing blockage. After your 6 week period you will be advised to have a second heartworm test done. If this test is negative you will be instructed to place your dog on heartworm preventative such as Heartguard or Interceptor. You will need to keep your dog on the preventative for the rest of his life because his chance of heartworms is possible at any age. It is a good idea to place your pet on the preventative year round, because of those mild winters that mosquitoes may be present.

Cats

Cats are at a greater risk than dogs because 1 heartworm can cause blockage to the arteries. They may be treated with anti-coagulants and cortisone to help decrease the risk to blockage of the arteries. Your vet then may recommend Heartguard to kill the immature heartworms in the blood stream. Your cat needs to be closely monitored during this time to prevent the danger of sudden death.

Once your pet has been found clean of heartworms, a once a month preventative is recommended, such as Heartguard Fx. As with your dog, you may consider giving it year round.