How do dogs get heartworm?

 

 

 

Although heartworm affects both dogs and cats, in Australia dogs appear to be the most popular host. There is only one way for a dog to become a host to heartworm and that is through a bite from an infected mosquito.

Via the mosquito (which has already bitten another heartworm infected animal), the insect bite delivers heartworm larvae which are deposited into the skin of the dog. The larvae live here about 2 weeks before making their way in the bloodstream to the heart or lungs of their canine host. This is also the place where they will reproduce. Their offspring travel around in the bloodstream and can later be take up by another mosquito.

Countries or states experiencing warmer weather temperatures may have a heartworm season all year-round. It is possible for a dog to have large numbers of the worms in his or her body and the adult worms can live to 5 years. Symptoms can involve coughing (especially after exercise), less tolerance to exercise or the sound of a crackle in the lungs however in some dogs the only visible sign is a reduction of general condition.

The degree to which an affected dog responds depends on the amount of damage the parasite has caused to the blood vessels around the heart. If the heartworm is the reason for inflammation in the lungs, the cough may be present.

Speak to your vet about heartworm prevention. Diagnosis involves a simple blood test and can be treated depending on the degree of infection, however even the treatment can be quite serious for your dog. If left untreated this parasite is deadly.

Leah & Angela O’Meara

Hound Dog Day Care (Specialists in Dog Minding & Dog Boarding, Pet Sitting Brisbane & Doggy Day Care Brisbane)