Heartworm Disease: The Silent Killer

Southeast Tennessee has some of the highest numbers of reported heartworm cases in the United States, according to the American Heartworm Society (AHS). This is likely due to the high population of mosquitos - carriers of the disease - as well as mild winters across the southern states. We live in an area affected severely by this disease, and our pets pay the price. Therefore, it is imperative that our community be educated on the severity of Heartworm disease, and the importance of heartworm prevention. 

Image from Zoetis

What is Heartworm Disease?

How is Heartworm Disease spread?

How to protect your pets against Heartworm Disease 

How do you know if your pet has heartworms?

Heartworm Disease treatment

What is Heartworm Disease?

Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal disease caused by worms that live in the heart, lungs and blood vessels of affected pets. It causes severe lung disease, heart failure and other organ damage in the body, according to the AHS. Heartworm disease affects dogs, cats and ferrets, but can also live in other mammals, even humans - though this is rare. The disease is 100% fatal without treatment. 

How is Heartworm Disease Spread?

The spread of Heartworm disease is through the transmission of microscopic baby worms from infected hosts. Mosquitos play a large role in the spread, the AHS says on their website, by biting an infected animal, and then biting a non-infected animal, depositing the worms’ larvae into their bloodstream. Once the heartworms have inhabited a host, it takes approximately 6 months for the larvae to mature, and can live for 5-7 years in dogs. They can live up to 2-3 years in cats. 

How To Protect Your Pets Against Heartworm Disease?

Heartworm disease is a very serious and very scary threat to our pets that we call family - so we have to do our duty to protect them! Heartworm prevention can come in a variety of forms, the most common being either oral or topical medication, that can be prescribed through your regular vet.. All forms of the medication work by eliminating all heartworm larvae in the body, killing the disease before the worms mature. 

Heartworm prevention is a key aspect to pet ownership, and it’s essential to keep your pet up-to-date on their monthly preventatives all year-round, especially in our local area where Heartworm disease is so prevalent. By using prevention, you are greatly reducing the risk of your pet contracting this fatal disease, and keeping them safe. 

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Mosquitoes only need one bite to put your pet at risk for heartworm disease, but monthly prevention gives them year-round protection. Being proactive today can save your pet from serious illness tomorrow.

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How Do You Know If Your Pet Has Heartworm Disease? 

Heartworm tests are blood tests, and should be completed annually, even if your pet is on preventatives, to make sure the medication is working properly. Since Heartworm disease is progressive, it is better to catch it early, to better your pet’s chances of recovery, according to the AHS.

An animal that has contracted the disease may not be symptomatic for many months after infection. A persistent cough, unwillingness to exercise, fatigue, decreased appetite and weight loss are some clinical signs of Heartworm disease. 

Heartworm Disease Treatment

Sadly, there is no current treatment for cats who have contracted heartworms. Hopefully, as the science of the disease progresses, treatments will be made available for felines. However, if your dog has contracted Heartworm disease, there are treatment methods available to save your dog’s life. They should be on activity restrictions as to not put any strain on their heart and lungs while they prepare for and undergo treatment. Without treatment, the heartworms will overwhelm your dog’s internal organs as they multiply and thrive, and cause organ failure over time.

There are a few different methods of treatment for dogs, and depending on the stage and severity of the disease, your vet will make a plan for what’s best for your pet. 

Speak with your vet to come up with a plan for treatment specific for your dog!