April is Nationwide Heartworm Consciousness Month

Do you know… it solely takes one chew from an contaminated mosquito to unfold Heartworm illness to your pet?

Heartworm illness is a critical and probably deadly sickness for cats, canines, and ferrets, in addition to different mammals. It’s brought on by foot-long worms (heartworms) that stay within the coronary heart, lungs, and blood vessels of affected animals. Heartworm could end in lung illness, coronary heart failure, or different organ injury.

Though this sounds scary (it’s!), Heartworm illness could be prevented altogether with the mandatory preventative measures.

Shield your pet by studying these 6 FAQs about Heartworm:

1. How can Heartworm illness unfold to my pet? Heartworm illness is unfold by mosquitoes carrying the parasite Dirofilaria Immitis. When an contaminated mosquito bites a cat, canine, ferret, or different mammal, larvae are transmitted into the bloodstream and finally settle within the coronary heart, arteries, blood vessels, and lungs after a interval of months.
2. Which pets are in danger? Any pet in an space with mosquitos is in danger for Heartworm illness.
3. What signs ought to I search for? Indicators of Heartworm illness could be very delicate or very extreme relying on the case. Signs could embody persistent cough, problem respiration, fatigue, decreased urge for food, vomiting, and weight reduction. Because the illness progresses, an animal could expertise fainting, seizures, problem strolling, or fluid accumulation within the stomach. Kittens, puppies, and senior pets face the best threat of growing the extra extreme signs.
4. How is Heartworm illness identified? It takes roughly 6 months after being bitten by an contaminated mosquito to your pet to check constructive for Heartworm. A veterinarian could make a prognosis by doing a bodily examination and working blood checks.
5. Is Heartworm illness treatable? For canines within the US, there’s therapy accessible. Sadly for cats within the US, there’s at present no accepted therapy. The excellent news, nonetheless, is that many Heartworm-infected cats are capable of struggle the an infection themselves and could be monitored each few months, whereas ready out the worms’ lifespan. Medicines will also be given to assist alleviate some signs, similar to coughing and vomiting.
6. How can I forestall my pet from contracting Heartworm illness? There are a number of FDA-approved drugs* available on the market accessible for each cats and canines. Your pet ought to start a heartworm preventative round 8 weeks of age, which must be taken year-round. Canines must be examined for Heartworm each 12 months and common check-ups for all pets are key to early detection.