Dogs

Heartworm and Your Pet

Heartworm. Over 100,000 dogs are diagnosed with heartworm disease annually. But where does heartworm come from and how does your pet get it?

Mosquitoes. That’s right. Those annoying, long-nosed, whiny sounding blood suckers transmit heartworm from an infected dog to a healthy dog. From the FDA’s website: “In an infected dog, adult female heartworms release their offspring, called microfilariae, into the dog’s bloodstream. When a mosquito bites the infected dog, the mosquito becomes infected with the microfilariae. Over the next 10 to 14 days and under the right environmental conditions, the microfilariae become infective larvae while living inside the mosquito. Microfilariae must pass through a mosquito to become infective larvae. When the infected mosquito bites another dog, the mosquito spreads the infective larvae to the dog through the bite wound. In the newly infected dog, it takes about 6 to 7 months for the infective larvae to mature into adult heartworms. The adult heartworms mate and the females release their offspring into the dog’s bloodstream, completing the lifecycle.” At this time, the earliest heartworm protein can be detected in your dogs bloodstream is about 6 months.

How do you know if your dog has heartworm disease? A blood test is the only way to confirm heartworm. By the time symptoms appear, the disease has likely already spread. These are five signs that your dog may have heartworm according to Heartgard:

  • Mild persistent cough

  • Lethargy

  • Weight loss

  • Swollen belly

  • Difficulty breathing

Your dog has been diagnosed with heartworm. Now what? While effective, heartworm treatment can be long and costly, although a pet insurance wellness plan may minimize your out-of-pocket expenses. Your dog will physical activities will need to be restricted (physical exertion increases the rate of damage to the heart and lungs) and follow a treatment protocol depending on the stage of the disease. Treatment can be long and costly.

Can my cat get heartworm?

Yes. While not as susceptible to infection, both indoor and outdoor cats can also get heartworm when bitten by an infected mosquito. Heartworm is more difficult to diagnose in felines and not all cats show symptoms. If your cat is experiencing any of the following, a trip to the vet is warranted.

  • Intermittent vomiting

  • Diarrhea

  • Rapid and/or difficulty breathing

  • Coughing and/or gagging

  • Loss of appetite

  • Weight loss

Of course, these symptoms could be indicative of other diseases as well. Unfortunately, heartworm in cats is not treatable at this time.

Prevention is the best treatment!

There are many FDA-approved products to prevent heartworm in cats and dogs. Talk to your vet to decide which preventative is best for you and your pet!

Cold Weather Safety Tips

Cold weather can pose serious harm to your pets. Follow these tips to keep your pets safe this winter!

  • Limit time outside. If it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for your pet!

  • De-ice! Dig ice balls out of your pets’ feet when they come in from being outside. Ice balls can lead to bruising or cuts on the paw pad.

  • Remove salt. Wipe off paws to remove any salt. Salt can irritate your pet’s paw pads or cause mouth or stomach issues if ingested.

  • Fresh water. Lower humidity levels in the winter can lead to your pet drinking more water to stay hydrated. Be sure their bowl is fresh and full!

  • Stay home. Cold cars are just as bad for the health of your pet as a hot car in the summer. In cold weather, cars cool down rapidly acting like a refrigerator trapping the cold air in.

Community cats and strays can use your help too!

  • Shelter. Provide shelter for cats to get away from snow, wind, and other elements. Insulate the shelter with straw. Straw repels moisture and cats can burrow down into it. Don’t use blankets or towels as they absorb precious body heat.

  • Food and water. Keep their food and water from freezing. If possible, consider using a heated water bowl. A regular supply of food will help them conserve the energy they need to stay warm while helping to provide natural insulation.

  • Avoid salt. Salt can be harmful to cats’ paw pads and can be lethal when licked off.

  • Check your vehicle before starting. Cats are resilient and will seek shelter anyway. Be sure to bang on the hood or honk your horn prior to starting the engine.