If you have ever owned an animal during the hot summer months, you know how threatening mosquitoes can be, especially since they can transmit the heartworm disease. Heartworm disease is a condition in which a parasitic worm enters a mammal’s heart through their blood and ultimately shuts down the animal’s organ functions. The parasite could be described as patient, as it could lay dormant in its host for a year or two. Because heartworms can lay dormant, the disease can feel like it is sneaking up on you and your furry friends, so it is crucial that you can recognize the signs before it’s too late. While the most common host is canines, any mammal can become infected with heartworm, so any and every case needs to be identified and treated. Fortunately, heartworm is completely preventable, and our Sinton Vet Clinic staff would love to keep your animals safe and healthy.
If you have urgent questions, do not hesitate to call our Sinton Vet Clinic directly! Our number is (361) 364-4551, and we would love to provide you with any information or answers that you may need. Let us know what we can do to improve your animal’s quality of life!
Causes of Heartworm in Animals:
Typically, heartworm disease is transmitted from a mosquito infected with parasitic worm, named Dirofilaria immitis, to a mammal host. Once transferred from the mosquito to the mammal, the worm will lay eggs in their lungs, where they will lay dormant for months, or even years. Eventually, the eggs hatch into tiny heartworms that travel through the circulatory system to take over the entire body. This invasion begins the painful process of shutting down the host’s body which is called dirofilariasis.
In the beginning stages of dirofilariasis, the larvae will enter the host’s bloodstream, giving them full access to every organ of the body. Despite this temptation, the larvae migrate to the pulmonary arteries, where they will stay for the next five to seven months until they reach adulthood. Once fully developed, the heartworms make a beeline for the heart and other major blood vessels, where they can continue to feed and grow.
Because of how aggressive the disease becomes after a couple years, we really recommend taking preventative actions that will prevent your animal from having to suffer with it.
Heartworm is caused by a parasitic worm called Dirofilaria immitis. This worm is transmitted to animals through the bite of an infected mosquito. Once the larvae of the parasite enter the animal’s bloodstream, they migrate to the lungs and develop into adult worms. These adult worms then migrate to the heart and other associated blood vessels, where they can grow up to 30 centimeters long and cause severe damage to the animal’s organs.
Symptoms of Heartworm in Animals:
Keep in mind that all animals can become infected with heartworms, but canines are the most at risk. To put it in perspective, let’s say you have a dog and a cat. No matter where you live, your dog is five times more likely to get infected than your cat. Regardless, it is so important for all pet owners to know what to look out for. As mentioned, the heartworm eggs will lay dormant, and as a result, so will the symptoms. With that being said, it is crucial to seek help as soon as any symptoms are noticed; the sooner the heartworms can be diagnosed, the sooner your animal will be feeling better. As mentioned, different species of animals can become infected, so not all symptoms will look the exact same. Before we discuss differences, know that across every species, the two common symptoms are weight loss and loss of appetite. Every animal discussed below can suffer from either of these symptoms, so please keep that in mind.
Dogs
As previously mentioned, you will see most heartworm disease in canines, and that is because dogs are the preferential host. In dogs, heartworms are able to survive up to seven years in their system before any symptoms are detected. This long lifespan means diagnosis only happens once the parasite has taken over a good portion of their host. Regardless, it is crucial for dog owners to know what signs and symptoms to look out for; the sooner heartworms have been identified, the better. Be wary of the following symptoms:
- Persistent cough
- Reluctance to exercise
- Easily fatigued
- Weight loss
- Decreased appetite
- Caval syndrome
Cats
Felines are a rare host, especially compared with dogs. In fact, most worms cannot live in a feline host long enough to reach adulthood because cats are not natural hosts. With that being said, even young worms can cause damage to the body and possibly develop into adulthood. If you notice your cat experiencing one or more of the following, please reach out to a veterinarian immediately:
- Coughing
- Asthma-like attacks
- Occasional vomiting
- Difficulty walking
- Fainting/ seizures
- Heartworm Associated Respiratory Disease (HARD)
Cows
When it comes to bovines and parasites, heartworms are a low priority because cattle often live in an environment where bacteria, viruses, and parasites breed and thrive. However, cattle are capable of contracting heartworms, so as a livestock owner, you need to know what symptoms to look out for. The most common signs are:
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Liquidy diarrhea
- Poor coat condition
Horses
For those interested in equine health, it’s always a positive to learn that horses are not heartworm hosts very often. With that being said, horses are much more susceptible to contracting a wide range of parasites and viruses, especially the West Nile Virus. Although rare, equestrians should know the symptoms of a heartworm infection in their horse, just in case. These are the common symptoms:
- Weight loss
- Colic
- Poor coat condition
- Diarrhea/ constipation
- Cough
- Nasal discharge
In all animals, there is a possibility that the heartworm infestation will lead to heart failure and the host’s death. That being said, dogs and cats are most likely to suffer from a severe case. Once a dog has caval syndrome, it is considered a severe case, and the same is true for cats and HARD. When it comes to any severe heartworm case, the only treatment option is emergency surgery to remove as many heartworms as possible.
Prevention of Heartworm in Animals:
Heartworm is a preventable disease, and there are several steps animal owners can take to protect their pets from this infection. The most effective prevention method is to work with your veterinarian and develop a consistent dewormer plan. By working with a vet, their team can properly monitor your animal’s environment and exposure risk and treat it accordingly. These deworming medications not only prevent heartworms, but also protect against most other worms and parasites. As extra defense, keep your animals indoors during peak mosquito hours, use insect repellent, and use an insect net. The best way to prevent heartworms is to be proactive.
Treating Heartworm Infection:
While prevention is the preferred method of heartworm care, the possibility of your pet getting infected still exists, and should be taken seriously. To be ready for any situation, it is very important to be aware of the treatment options available to your pet so you know what steps to take. Every situation is different and treatment is largely influenced by the worm burden, or the amount of worms in the host’s system. Typically, your vet will ask you to limit your animal’s exercise, give the prescribed medication, and look into hospitalization options. When an animal is exercising, their lungs and heart are pumping hard, quickly pushing the blood, filled with heartworms, to the rest of the body. With the host getting plenty of rest, the infestation will not spread as quickly.
Beyond simple remedies, there are a few options for medications. To avoid shock, your vet will prescribe a medicine that will slowly kill the larvae in the host. Unfortunately, heartworm removal is very tedious and has to be done slowly to limit the possibility of shock the host will experience. If your pet’s worm burden gets past a certain point, surgery might need to be taken into consideration, which is where hospitalization comes in. Every animal has different needs, so it is crucial you work with a trusted vet to develop a treatment plan that works for your furry friend.
What Should We Do?
Heartworm disease is a dangerous and potentially fatal infection that can impact a wide range of animals like horses, cows, cats, and dogs. As responsible animal owners, it is our duty to protect our pets from heartworms by following a preventative care plan determined and prescribed by a veterinarian. Preventive measures like regular medication, insect repellents, and minimizing exposure to mosquitoes can go a long way in keeping our pets healthy and happy. By being aware of the causes, symptoms, prevention, and treatment of heartworm infection, we can take action to protect our animals and ensure they live long and fulfilling lives.
Take action today by contacting our experienced Sinton Vet Clinic staff to develop a prevention plan. Give us a call at (361) 364-4551, or contact us on our website. Let us know today what we can do to protect your furry family members and prevent heartworm disease from infiltrating your home.
