Heartworm in Dogs: What it is and Why Prevention is Crucial

Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that affects thousands of dogs each year. Unfortunately, it is becoming more common, with cases on the rise in areas like Huntington Beach, Seal Beach, and Fullerton. While heartworm disease is preventable, many pet owners don’t realize just how devastating the condition can be. The process of treatment is not only long and expensive, but it can also be uncomfortable for the dog. In this blog, we will explore what heartworm disease is, how it’s transmitted, and why prevention is essential for your dog’s health. With the increasing prevalence in local areas, it’s more important than ever to take action and protect your pet. Keep reading to learn why heartworm prevention is not just a good idea, but an absolute necessity.

What is Heartworm Disease?

Heartworm disease is caused by a parasitic worm, Dirofilaria immitis, which lives in the heart, lungs, and blood vessels of affected dogs. These worms can grow up to 12 inches long and can cause severe damage to your dog’s heart, lungs, and blood vessels. Heartworms are transmitted to dogs through mosquito bites. When a mosquito bites an infected dog, it picks up microscopic larvae that will later be transferred to other dogs when the mosquito bites them. The larvae mature into adult heartworms in the dog’s bloodstream and can cause a variety of health issues, including damage to vital organs and even death.

In Huntington Beach, Seal Beach, Fullerton, and surrounding areas, the prevalence of heartworm disease is increasing, making it more crucial than ever to protect your pet. The American Heartworm Society’s Incidence Maps provide detailed data on the increasing spread of heartworm disease in different regions, and it’s clear that our area is seeing more cases. You can view these maps for a detailed look at the growing risk here.

Why Heartworm Prevention is Crucial

Heartworm prevention is essential for all dogs, especially in regions with a higher risk of transmission like Huntington Beach and nearby communities. The simple fact is that preventing heartworm disease is much easier and less costly than treating it. Protective measures usually involve giving your dog a monthly preventative, either in a chewable tablet or topical form. These preventative measures are highly effective at killing the heartworm larvae before they have the chance to mature and cause damage. By being proactive, you significantly reduce the risk of heartworm infection, which is much safer and less expensive than treatment.

Common Signs of Heartworm Disease

It can sometimes be difficult to tell if your dog is infected with heartworms, especially in the early stages. However, there are several signs that pet owners should watch for. If your dog is showing any of the following symptoms, it’s time to get them tested for heartworms:

• Persistent coughing
• Fatigue or lethargy
• Weight loss
• Decreased appetite
• Difficulty breathing

In the later stages, when the heartworms have caused significant damage to the heart and lungs, the symptoms become more severe. Dogs may collapse or have a sudden episode of weakness. If you notice any of these symptoms, call Cali’s Cottage Veterinary Hospital at (714) 846-1378 as soon as possible.

The Complexities of Treating Heartworm in Dogs

If a dog does contract heartworm disease, the treatment process is long, expensive, and potentially dangerous. The regimen involves a series of medications designed to kill the adult heartworms. This process can take several months, and it involves significant medical intervention. Some of the treatment options can be quite expensive, adding to the financial burden of the condition.

What makes the situation even more challenging is the need for strict confinement. During this time, the dog must be kept calm and restricted to a minimal level of activity. This is because as the heartworms die off, they break apart and can cause embolisms, which may result in a life-threatening reaction. A burst of energy, such as running or jumping, could be fatal during this phase. Even after the worms are eradicated, the damage done to the dog’s heart and lungs may be permanent. This makes it even more important to prevent the disease in the first place.

What is Involved in Heartworm Treatment?

When a dog is diagnosed with heartworm disease, the treatment involves several stages:

• Stabilization: If the dog’s condition is severe, the first step is to stabilize their health before starting the actual process. This may require administration of glucocorticosteroids, diuretics, vasodilators, positive inotropic agents, and fluid therapy.
• Medication: The dog will receive an injection of an arsenic-based drug, melarsomine, to kill the heartworms. They will also likely receive an antibiotic, a steroid, and specific preventatives to minimize side effects and improve effectiveness of treatment.
• Strict Activity Restriction: The dog will need to be confined to a cage or crate to limit movement and prevent exercise-related complications. Exercise restriction during the entire treatment and recovery period is ESSENTIAL for minimizing complications.
• Follow-Up Care: Follow-up visits and tests are required to ensure that the worms have been eliminated and that no complications have occurred.

The treatment process can last for up to three months and requires consistent veterinary supervision. The cost can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on the severity of the infection.

Preventing Heartworm Disease: The Best Approach

Preventing heartworm in dogs is far simpler and less expensive than treating the disease. There are several options available to ensure that your dog is protected from heartworms:

• Monthly Heartworm Preventatives: As mentioned earlier, giving your dog a monthly preventative is the most effective way to prevent heartworm disease. These medications are safe, affordable, and simple to administer. Whether in pill form or a topical application, the monthly regimen will keep your dog protected all year round.
• Mosquito Control: Since heartworms are spread by mosquitoes, reducing the number of mosquitoes around your home can help lower the risk. This includes using mosquito repellents and eliminating standing water where mosquitoes breed.
• Routine Testing: Even if your dog is on a preventative, it’s a good idea to have them tested annually for heartworms. Regular testing ensures that your dog remains heartworm-free and can catch any potential issues early.

What About Cats and Heartworms?

Cats are an atypical host for heartworm disease. It is a very different disease process than dogs. For many cats affected with heartworm, they have little to no adult heartworms. This makes testing much more complicated for cats, and even worse, there is no effective treatment for infected cats. As with dogs, prevention is the most cost-effective way to protect your cat from serious health issues.

Protecting Your Dog from Heartworm Disease in Huntington Beach, Seal Beach, and Fullerton

Given the increasing prevalence of heartworm disease in our local area, now is the time to act. Protecting your dog with monthly heartworm prevention is one of the simplest and most effective steps you can take to ensure your pet’s long-term health and well-being. If you haven’t already started your dog on a heartworm prevention plan, or if you’re due for a checkup, give Cali’s Cottage Veterinary Hospital a call at (714) 846-1378 or book an appointment online today. Our team is here to answer any questions and help you keep your dog healthy and happy. By investing in heartworm prevention, you are making a choice to keep your dog safe from a serious, costly, and dangerous disease.