Heartworm
What causes heartworm disease?
The heartworm (dirofilariasis) in dogs is widespread in many countries all over the world , a serious and fatal disease for dogs, caused by a worm called Diroflaria immitis.
This heartworm in infected dogs is present in the heart and adjacent large vessels , Female worm has a length of 15 to 35 cm and diameter of about 5 mm, and male about half the size of female, and infected dog may contain a number of worms up to 300 worms.
How to prevent my dog from being infected with Heartworm ?
How do I prevent this happening?
* Preventing dog from being infected by heartworm is very important.
* Preventing dog from being infected by heartworm is very important.
* There are three drugs that can be used to prevent heartworm infection.
One is a tablet chewed daily.
The other two are chewing tablets given once a month.
* The three types are very safe and very effective.
* It is reasonable, and you should start with one immediately after the heart worm detection test.
* In the United States of America and Europe (in particular southern Europe), each dog should be tested for heartworm detection.
* In the United States of America and Europe (in particular southern Europe), each dog should be tested for heartworm detection.
It starts with an annual prevention program at the beginning of the mosquito season.
* In hot areas where mosquito seasons are long, the dog should remain on preventive treatment throughout the year.
* Your veterinarian will advise you on the best treatment.
How does heartworm reach the heart?
* Adult heartworms live in the heart and pulmonary arteries of infected dogs. They have also been extinct in other parts of the body, but this is unusual, and can last up to five years.
How does heartworm reach the heart?
* Adult heartworms live in the heart and pulmonary arteries of infected dogs. They have also been extinct in other parts of the body, but this is unusual, and can last up to five years.
* During this time, the heartworm produces millions of microfilaria, These small worms " Microflaria " live in the bloodstream, mainly in the small blood vessels.
* The immature heartworms can not complete their entire life cycle within the dog's body and need the mosquito to complete some of its growth stages, so the microflilaras are not contagious to the dog, but it may cause of some problems.
* A large number of mosquito species of up to 30 species can transmit heartworms, where the mosquito bites the infected dog and swallows the microflora with the blood meal.
* A large number of mosquito species of up to 30 species can transmit heartworms, where the mosquito bites the infected dog and swallows the microflora with the blood meal.
* The microflora grows within 10 to 30 days inside the mosquito and then enters the mouth of the mosquito, Microflora is then infectious larvae, because this stage of the worm's life cycle can grow into the adult stage when enters the dog's body , and when the mosquito bites another dog in a small place, and these larvae move to the other dog. (This does not mean that long-haired dogs do not get heartworm).
These larvae pass through the growth stages. In full growth, infective larvae enter the blood circulation of the dog and move to the heart and adjacent vessels.
They reach within two to four months, then begin to multiply. * The worm life cycle is completed (total of 2) - 4 months).
Where are heartworms located?
Heartworm disease occurs worldwide, in the United States, and the disease has been limited in the south and south-east but now the disease is spread and is now found in most areas of the United States and Canada, especially where mosquitoes are located, mosquitoes in these areas Holds the heartworm.
How do dogs get infected?
* The worm does not move directly from dog to dog. It needs an intermediary host, the mosquito, to move.
Where are heartworms located?
Heartworm disease occurs worldwide, in the United States, and the disease has been limited in the south and south-east but now the disease is spread and is now found in most areas of the United States and Canada, especially where mosquitoes are located, mosquitoes in these areas Holds the heartworm.
How do dogs get infected?
* The worm does not move directly from dog to dog. It needs an intermediary host, the mosquito, to move.
* The outbreak coincides with the mosquito season.
* There is a direct relationship between the number of infected dogs and the length of the mosquito season in any region.
* The disease takes many years before its symptoms appear on the infected dog, so the disease is most commonly diagnosed in dogs at 4 to 8 years of age. This disease rarely occurs in dogs less than a year old.
* The disease takes many years before its symptoms appear on the infected dog, so the disease is most commonly diagnosed in dogs at 4 to 8 years of age. This disease rarely occurs in dogs less than a year old.
* Small worms (larvae) It takes at least 7 months to mature before the dog is infected.
What do heartworms do to an infected dog?
Adult worms:
* Adult worms cause the disease to accumulate in the heart and large blood vessels, leading to obstruction of the heart, valves, blockage of vessels, and blockage of the main vessels.
What do heartworms do to an infected dog?
Adult worms:
* Adult worms cause the disease to accumulate in the heart and large blood vessels, leading to obstruction of the heart, valves, blockage of vessels, and blockage of the main vessels.
Blood is reduced to the organs of the body, especially the lungs, liver and kidneys.
* Most infected dogs do not show any signs of the disease for up to two years.
* Most infected dogs do not show any signs of the disease for up to two years.
Unfortunately, symptoms appear to be at an advanced stage.
* The quality of the symptoms depends on the number of adult heartworms, where they are located and the duration of infection.
* The most common symptoms are: chronic dry cough, shortness of breath, weakness, nervousness, laziness, and stress intolerance.
* The most common symptoms are: chronic dry cough, shortness of breath, weakness, nervousness, laziness, and stress intolerance.
These symptoms may be observed after exercise or movement, as some dogs may become overwhelmed.
* The hearing of the heart and lungs in the medical device reveals abnormal sounds.
* The hearing of the heart and lungs in the medical device reveals abnormal sounds.
In advanced cases, cardiac arrest occurs, the abdomen and legs are filled with fluids, and loss of weight, deterioration of the body condition, and anemia occur.
Sudden death of infected dogs may result in severe injury during exercise or excitement.
Microflora (small worms):
* The microflora circulates in the body but remains mainly in the small blood vessels.
Sudden death of infected dogs may result in severe injury during exercise or excitement.
Microflora (small worms):
* The microflora circulates in the body but remains mainly in the small blood vessels.
Because they are presented in blood vessels, they can block blood vessels.
* The cells that feed through these vessels suffer from loss of food and oxygen from the blood, The lungs, liver or organs are affected.
* The destruction of lung cells leads to coughing, cirrhosis of the liver, bile, anemia, and general weakness because this organ is the basis of animal health. The kidneys may also be affected and allow the accumulation of toxins in the body.
How is a heartworm infection diagnosed?
In most cases, heartworms are diagnosed by abduction.
* The destruction of lung cells leads to coughing, cirrhosis of the liver, bile, anemia, and general weakness because this organ is the basis of animal health. The kidneys may also be affected and allow the accumulation of toxins in the body.
How is a heartworm infection diagnosed?
In most cases, heartworms are diagnosed by abduction.
A blood bar that can be performed in a veterinary hospital, and other diagnostic tests, especially in advanced cases, to determine the dog's susceptibility to heartworm treatment.
Depending on the condition, your veterinarian will recommend taking one or all of the following procedures before starting treatment.
* Because of the presence of proteins of adult worms: This test is on a sample of blood, and is the most used test because it reveals the proteins that result from heartworms, and will give the test positive result even if the dog's blood contains no microflaria, and this occurs by 20% Dogs and dogs .
There are fewer than five major heartworms that do not have enough protein to turn the test into a positive result, so there may be some negative results in the early infection.
* Because the protein detected by the test is only female worms, the test will result in a negative result when all the worms present are male only, so there must be at least five female worms to make the test positive.
Blood test for microflora detection:
* To examine a sample of blood under the microscope for microflaria, if the microflaria is seen, the number of microflaria is a general indicator of the severity of the infection, but the microflora appears in large numbers in the summer and evening months, so the number differences must be considered. * About 20% of the dogs show negative results despite the presence of heartworms because they have acquired immunity against this stage of bloodworms.
Blood chemistry:
A complete blood image, kidney blood tests, and liver function may be an indirect indicator of heartworm disease. These tests are performed on dogs that have been diagnosed with heartworms to determine the functions of the dog's body organs before treatment.
(x-rays):
Usually radiographs of a dog appear heart disease, heart enlargement, and large artery connecting from the heart to the lungs, and these symptoms are a virtual guide to heartworm disease, may also show radiation status of the heart, lungs, and blood vessels, and this information allows to predict any problems that may occur related to treatment.
Heart cardiograph :
EKG tracks the electrical waves coming out of the heart, which is most useful for detecting heart arrhythmia.
Ultrasound:
The ultrasound allows the sonar to see the heart chambers and even to see the heartworms themselves, High availability and availability only in certain medical centers This procedure can diagnose heartworms when other tests fail.
How are dogs treated with heartworms ?
● Treating heartworms in dogs
- By giving special medical preparations that help to kill the adult form of heartworms until the dog shows improvement and can recover easily.
- After eliminating the large worms and making sure that their presence is completely finished through x-rays and analyzes, the doctor deals with the dirofilaria “worm larvae”, which takes some time to treat.
- The doctor gives a monthly treatment to prevent and kill any larvae formed in the blood and prevent their growth to form large worms again.
In some cases that do not respond to treatment, or in some dogs, the numbers of worms reach large numbers, which poses a threat to the dog's health, and therefore must be removed immediately by surgery.
- You may need to put the dog in an iron cage if you take care of the dog in your home, because intense movement may lead to serious complications for his health.
Antibodies to worms are performed monthly for four months after recovery to ensure that there are no remnants of Dirofilaria larvae (heartworm larvae) in the blood.
Heartworm prevention :
You should conduct a periodic examination annually or once every six months to prevent your pet from any possible diseases. And periodic examination will always help you to predict diseases and confront them early before their exacerbation.
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