Heartworm in dogs is a condition that can be life threatening if not treated promptly. However, there are some early signs of heartworm in dogs that you should be on the look out for. As a dog owner, you will want to know if your pet has any of these symptoms so that you can take necessary action quickly and treat it before it progresses into a more serious disease. So, what are the first signs of heartworm in dogs? Here is a look at the signs and symptoms of heartworm in dogs.
Heartworms are highly contagious and if heartworm infection spreads throughout your dog’s system, it can cause serious side effects. Anemia is one of the most common symptoms of heartworm. It occurs when your dog’s blood does not carry enough healthy white blood cells. This can lead to symptoms such as weakness, lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea and even pneumonia. A dog with anemia can become weak and even suffer from a heart attack.
Another symptom of heartworm is severe itching or swelling in the anal area of your dog. This is where the worm becomes lodged in the dog’s intestinal tract. There is no specific time frame in which your dog gets sick with heartworm. The first signs of heartworm in dogs that you should notice usually occur within three to four weeks of being infected. But sometimes the infection may have extended into months.
Flea bite dermatitis is another sign of heartworm. As well as an itchy head, there will be redness and swelling in the area of the bite. Again, these are common symptoms of heartworms in dogs but if you see your dog having these signs more than once a month, it is always best to take your dog to the vet for proper diagnosis.
Tapeworms are parasitic worms that attach themselves to the lining of the dogs’ intestines. Once in, they need to feed on the blood supply to get the nutrients they need to grow. This causes severe damage to the intestinal walls and the parasites then multiply inside the dog. The first signs of heartworm in dogs caused by tapeworms appear as diarrhea, weight loss and lameness. If you see your dog with any of these signs, it is best to take him to the vet immediately for a proper diagnosis.
One type of heartworm disease is called erythematous macular degeneration. This is one of the most common causes of blindness. This appears as a spot on the center of a blind person’s eye. It causes the death of the cells in the macula, which causes the blind spot. The usual symptoms of this are loss of vision and excessive scratching of the eye area.
Another type of heartworm disease is called arthroplasty, which is the prevention of erythroplasia (spreading). This can be done through a surgery that removes the abnormal growth or by a medication. The symptoms of arthroplasty heartworm in dogs include loss of appetite, vomiting, lameness and constant scratching of the head/scalp area. Any changes in behavior like chewing at the legs and feet or eating only a portion of food may be signs of arthroplasty heartworm.
All of these heartworm diseases have specific symptoms and treatment is determined by the diagnosis. Most dogs will get heartworm disease at some point in their lives. The earlier the dog is diagnosed, the better chance there is for a successful treatment. Your veterinarian is the best resource for answers on what are the first signs of heartworm in dogs.
There are many different treatments available to prevent heartworm in dogs. Some of these are preventive medications that are given monthly during the interval when the dogs are exposed to ticks or fleas. Some heartworm medications can be given twice a day. Corticosteroids are used to treat erythroplasia. Inflamed joints, skin and the eyes should also be treated with erythroplasia.
What are the signs of heartworm in dogs that show up immediately after the dog is bitten? If the dog develops any signs of heartworm it is important to immediately treat him. If you see any of these, your dog could very well be suffering from heartworm disease. A complete health checkup is needed to determine the exact cause of the problem.
An examination of the dog’s liver, spleen, kidney and the colon will reveal any signs of heartworm in dogs. Treatment is critical at this point. The more signs of heartworm you see, the more treatment will be necessary.