How to Prevent and Treat Heartworms in Dogs
What are heartworms, and how do they affect dogs?
Heartworms are just like the name sounds, worms that live in a dog's heart. They get them from being bitten by a mosquito. They are very common here in North Carolina or anywhere in the south because we can get mosquitoes all year round.
What are the signs of heartworms in a dog?
The most common symptom for dogs is coughing. They can also be lethargic, vomit, and have appetite changes, but most commonly we see them coughing.
How will a veterinarian diagnose heartworms in a dog?
Most commonly, we will do a blood test. We just need a few drops of blood, and it tests for a protein that's released by an adult female heartworm. We typically do that once a year, usually at their wellness visits.
When should my dog be tested for heartworms?
Usually, once a year, as part of their wellness, or sometimes we'll test them if they have been off heartworm prevention for a certain amount of time, just to make sure, before we restart, that the dog is heartworm negative.
What happens if my dog tests positive for heartworms?
If they test positive, typically we will retest them with another method to make sure it's repeatable. If it makes sense that the dog is heartworm positive, such as if you just adopted a stray or a shelter pet, we don't always need to retest, but most of the time, we will repeat the test to make sure it's positive.
What will happen to my dog if the heartworms are left untreated?
If they're left untreated, then we do worry about lung disease, heart disease, and they can actually pass away from heartworms if left untreated. So definitely not one of those conditions that you want to forgo treatment.
Can heartworms be passed from dog to dog?
Not directly. They can't. It's not contagious in that your dog can give it to another dog. However, it is indirectly contagious in that a mosquito can bite your dog, become infected with heartworms, and then, over time, give it to another pet. But they're not directly contagious.
What can I do to prevent my dog from getting heartworms?
The easiest and most important way to prevent heartworms is to give them a monthly pill or topical application that works a month in reverse, killing any baby heartworms they might have gotten from a mosquito. There are monthly pills, monthly topical applications, and even a medication called Proheart 12, which is an injection you give once a year that prevents heartworms.
Is there a dog heartworm vaccine available?
There's not a vaccine necessarily. If you're thinking of injections, there is an injectable medication that you can give that lasts for a year to prevent heartworms.
What should I do if I forget to give my dog their heartworm prevention?
As soon as you realize that you forgot it, go ahead and give it. Most of the time, you're okay if you're within a week or so of when they're due. If you're not quite sure whether you should give the dose or retest, please give us a call.
Do all dogs need heartworm preventatives in the South?
Yes. I would definitely give all dogs heartworm preventatives, no matter how often they go outside. Even if they're just going outside for a few minutes twice a day to go to the bathroom, or if you have one of those pets that doesn't leave the house to go to the bathroom, mosquitoes can fly in and bite us, so they can fly in and bite the dog. So, definitely all year round in the south and for all dogs, I would put them on heartworm preventative.
Are heartworm preventatives safe for dogs?
They are safe. They have a very wide margin of safety and have been studied extensively. We can discuss individual sensitivities to certain drugs at your wellness visit, but for the most part, most dogs can take most of the heartworm preventives. They are very safe.
How will my veterinarian treat a heartworm positive dog?
If we find that your dog has heartworms and we do a repeat test to confirm, then we typically try to stage their disease with chest X-rays and lab work. We then treat with a very specific medication that kills the adult heartworms. This typically happens over a series of months where they come in, stay for the day, receive an injection, and then come back a month and a couple of months later as well. It's not a quick process, but generally, they do very well, and it is a very successful treatment.
How successful is treatment for heartworms?
Depending on how affected the dog is, if the directions are followed, the dog is kept quiet, and they receive the medications in a timely fashion, heartworm treatment is typically very successful.
For any questions about heartworms, please feel free to reach out to us at Central Providence Veterinary Hospital at (704) 318-2228, or you can email us at [email protected]. Our staff would love to talk with you!