If you google the words ‘heartworm’ you will find numerous images of heartworms exploding from the hearts of dogs and cats. Unfortunately these images are all real representations of what your pet’s heart may look like if he or she has an infestation with heartworm.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) live within the circulatory system of dogs, spreading to other dogs by mosquitoes.
Historically Braidwood was a low prevalence area for heartworm so prevention was often neglected, although in recent years there have been many Braidwood dogs diagnosed.
Many owners also often think that when they worm their pet they are preventing all species of worms, although this is not the case as most worming tablets only control worms that live in the gastrointestinal tract.
An infestation of adult heartworms in the heart can cause your dog to develop a cough, become reluctant to exercise, have a decreased appetite and lose weight, which can then progress to heart failure as the heartworms mature. Often signs of heartworm are not seen until they have caused considerable irreparable damage.
Before commencing a preventative product it is important to ensure your dog has not already been infected with heartworm, as these products can cause death of the heartworm and subsequently your pet. To identifying if your dog has already been infected with heartworm a small sample of blood is taken and tested whilst you wait. If the result is negative you can then commence preventatives, such as a monthly tablet, chew, spot-on, or a once a year preventative injection which is often the easiest.
