What causes heartworm in dogs? This is a question many pet owners ask, and one that can only be answered by a veterinarian. They will tell you the name of the worm, the name of the heartworm and what they do to dogs that contract them. But it’s up to you to find out and take action against it.
Heartworms are parasitic creatures that live on the heart and blood vessels of their hosts. They can infect dogs and cats of all ages, but the most common type infects dogs. There are a few other types of heart-worms in dogs, including:
Canine Distemper – This is a very serious infection that attacks the upper respiratory tract. Dogs that contract this usually have no prior history of flea infestations. They can, however, catch it from other infected animals, especially those that have fleas. The first symptom that your dog will experience is a severe sore throat with a fever of up to 102 degrees Fahrenheit. Four to eight weeks after contracting distemper, your dog will experience rashes that vary in color from red to brown, depending on where the rash is located.
Preventing heartworms is as simple as keeping your dog’s environment clean and flea-free. You should also give your pet a heartworm preventative medication once or twice a year, depending on the age and general health of your canine. Some preventive medications can help prevent a certain breed of dog from getting heartworms. This is called a Preventive Control vaccine.
There are several ways to provide your dogs with their preventative shots. One is to give them a shot on a monthly basis at home, while another is to give them a shot in their booster shot series every six months. You can purchase a heartworm pen for your pets to use at home, which contains both an anti-parasite and a booster shot to help protect your dog against this parasite. These products are not commercially available but are available through your veterinarian or other animal rescue groups.
The best way to be sure you know what is causing your dog’s illness is by having a blood test performed. Your veterinarian will be able to tell you if your dog has heartworm or not. Your veterinarian may also be able to give you the results of the blood test in writing, or by email. If your veterinarian is unsure of the diagnosis, he or she may refer you to a specialist, such as a cardiologist or a gastroenterologist. A specialist has access to a variety of tests to diagnose the disease.
There are several ways to prevent heartworm in dogs, but prevention is the best way to avoid it entirely. You can help prevent heartworm in dogs by feeding your dog a healthy diet and ensuring that it gets frequent exercise. This will keep it from getting fat and will also make it healthier overall. Another way to prevent heartworm is by getting your dog to the vet for regular checkups. Keeping up on your pet’s health by making sure it gets regular exams is one of the best ways to avoid getting it.
To tell if your dog has heartworm infection symptoms, there are a few symptoms to look for. If your dog has blood in his stool or urinating (sometimes both), he may have an infection. If your dog has lameness, then he may also have the condition. Other symptoms include itching around the anus, stomach pain and weakness.
Heartworm in dogs can be detected with blood tests. One of the first steps of treatment is to do an endoscopy, where a doctor inserts a tiny camera into the heart and abdomen to get a close look. The camera can give the veterinarian for an accurate diagnosis of the infection. After testing, treatment will begin. Antifungal medication is often given first to kill any existing infection and prevent new ones from forming. Once the infection is cleared up, heartworm preventative drugs are given to reduce the chances that another worm will jump from one animal to another.
There are several methods of preventing heartworm in dogs. One of the most popular methods is the American heartworm prevention or AAVV program. The program was created by the American heartworm society to help dogs and owners prevent infections. It provides information on different breeds and age groups, as well as tips for preventing infections and treatments for existing infections. Some of the signs that your dog may be infected with heartworm are swollen ankles, a lack of appetite, and cough with blood. To prevent these from happening, you should have your dog de-wormed at least once during his lifetime.
The AAVV program suggests ways that you can help prevent your dogs from getting infected with worms. If your dog spends time outside, he should wear a safe outdoor collar. You should also feed your pets table scraps so that they are less likely to become infected. Keeping your pet’s environment clean and free of debris and other animals helps prevent dogs and cats from getting sick with worms.