Heartworm Disease
Heartworm disease is a parasitic disease of dogs, and rarely, cats. The parasite is transmitted from dog to dog by mosquitoes. Adult heartworms live in the pulmonary artery and right ventricle of the heart. They cause disease by inducing inflammation in the heart and lungs, occluding blood flow, and inciting antigen-antibody immune system complexes that damage the kidneys. The most common signs of heartworm disease include cough, collapse, exercise intolerance and lethargy. Many infected dogs show no symptoms in early stages. In later stages, heartworm disease is often fatal, but it can often be treated. Successfully treated dogs may, however, have permanent heart, lung, or kidney damage.
Heartworm disease is most common in warm climates. It is extremely common in the southeast United States, where as many as 50% of the dogs not on a parasite prevention program may be infected. Here in the northwest, heartworm disease in non-travelling dogs is uncommon, though it does occur.
Heartgard Plus is a parasite prevention medicine we use to prevent heartworm disease and control intestinal parasites in dogs. It comes as a once-a-month chewable tablet, which most dogs love. This medicine prevents heartworm disease by killing any immature heartworm organisms that a dog may have been infected with during the previous month. Heartgard Plus also helps control roundworms and hookworms, which are common intestinal parasites of dogs that can cause digestive problems.
Roundworms are also a potential threat to children or people with a suppressed immune system. Dogs over six months of age need to be tested for heartworm disease before being put on Heartgard Plus. This is because dogs older than six-month can harbor adult heartworms and their offspring which, if rapidly killed off, can result in a severe allergic reaction. The test is a simple blood antigen test.
In addition to testing before starting Heartgard Plus, we also recommend testing dogs every two years, when they are on Heartgard Plus year round, just in case they have contracted the disease. This is unlikely if a dog is on heartworm prevention, but possible. The manufacturer of Heartgard Plus, Merial, also recommends periodic testing.
If you have any questions regarding heartworm disease, or would like to have your dog put on Heartgard Plus, please call us at (503) 233-5222 or e-mail us at staff@lvhvet.com.