Have you ever asked yourself what causes heartworm in dogs? If you have then you probably already have a dog at home. Heartworms, also called protozoa, are parasites that live in the heart and bloodstream. They attach themselves to dogs’ hearts and blood through their microscopic pinhole openings, or holes, called trunks.
The parasites in question, called microfibers, are picked up by mosquitoes, or other insects, and taken into the animals’ bloodstream. It’s hard to imagine a tiny worm, less than an inch long, penetrating a dog’s bloodstream through just the pricking of a mosquito bite. But the truth is, heartworm disease has two distinct forms, with the first one being primary disease. The other is referred to as secondary disease and manifests as symptoms following another existing condition. There are some symptoms associated with both types of disease.
The primary type of heartworm in dogs is known as ehrlichiosis. Symptoms include limping, loss of appetite, coughing, and lethargy. If any of these symptoms occur in more than one dog, it is likely they contracted heartworm from a previous owner. It is especially important to check for these symptoms in older dogs and those living in high-risk areas such as crowded apartments and homes with poor sanitation.
Treatment for heartworm in dogs involves taking medication given through a dog food dish. This medication must be taken daily, usually for six to eight weeks. If daily heartworm treatment isn’t effective, your veterinarian may opt to give your dog an injection of a corticosteroid. These injections can help alleviate symptoms for up to three months. To protect against future heartworm infections, regular de-worming sessions with your veterinarian are highly recommended.
If your dog’s condition doesn’t clear up in spite of heartworm treatment, it could be that your pet is suffering from another condition, such as hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism, or inadequate thyroid hormone production, is a common problem among canines. A helpful treatment is a prescription called Lufenuron, which helps boost your pet’s thyroid function. Your veterinarian will provide you with a dosage of 100 micrograms of Lufenuron per kilogram of body weight per day. This is a standard dose, and your dog should never receive Lufenuron more than twice per year. Talk to your veterinarian about additional safety information about this prescription.
Heartworms are particularly insidious because they attack the heart. Although dogs can have heartworm without showing any symptoms, they are often first observed when they experience at least one symptom’s episode. To protect your dog from acquiring heartworm disease, you will need to take him into annual checkups. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you see any symptoms in your dog. In most cases, heartworm treatment is not necessary if the dog’s symptoms clear up within a few months.
Two things affect your dog’s status: hemoglobin and the amount of circulating lymph fluid. If your dog’s hemoglobin levels are too low, he is considered to be sick. He needs to have regular heartworm tests performed. The most commonly given treatment is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Common NSAIDs include Motrin, Advil, and Aleve.
If you were wondering what causes heartworm in dogs with symptoms similar to feline Lyme disease, here’s an explanation: Male dogs are more likely to be infected with ticks and their larvae. This is because the male tick mates with several female ticks. The larvae then grow into more mature adults, increasing the chances of your dog from contracting the disease. It’s important to treat both the adult and larvae of ticks, as there are a variety of different medications that can help. Your vet may suggest that you use a combination of medications.