Dog Heartworm Symptoms

Heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) is a parasitic roundworm that is often found residing in the right chamber of a dog's heart and the two major blood vessels (the pulmonary artery and vena cava). It prevents a dog's heart from functioning properly by causing blockage in the blood vessels. The disease spreads from host to host through mosquito bites, and it is a disease that was discovered in 1856. The mosquito carrying microfilaria (baby heartworm) when it bites a healthy dog transfers the infection into the dog's body. The heartworm larval migrates to the heart of the dog and after six months, and then it matures to an adult female heartworm. The female heartworm lays live young microfilaria that circulates in the blood and leads to blood thickening and blockage of blood flow. Here is a detailed account of various dog heartworm symptoms observed in an infected dog.

Symptoms of Dog Heartworm

Heartworm in dogs causes irritation in the heart and blood vessels walls. The worms also lodge themselves in the liver blood vessels causing liver failure. Most of the symptoms can be noticed if we see a change in the dog's behavior. Hence, it is very important for a pet owner to be aware of the following symptoms:

• Mild Cough: Usually ignored or overlooked by the pet owner, mild cough is the first symptom of critical dog illness and should be taken seriously.
• Fatigue: Fatigue is a prominent symptom observed in dogs having heartworms. If your dog doesn't show interest in playing, feels like lying down after climbing the stairs or gets tired easily, it means he has been infected by this disease.
• Breathing Difficulties: If your dog seems to be short of breath, and is gasping or gulping for air, don't hesitate to take him to the veterinarian as it is a sign of a serious illness.
• Severe Coughing:A severe, deep-chested cough is another important symptom observed in the dogs.
• Loss of Appetite and Weight Loss: Loss of appetite and weight loss are other important symptoms which are usually ignored by the pet owners. Sudden loss in the weight or a long period of disinterest in food can be due to heartworms, hence, shouldn't be ignored.
• Jaundice: Jaundice occurs when the liver has been infected, and if the dog is showing this symptom, it means he is extremely ill and requires a surgery to remove the heartworms.
• Collapse: This is the last symptom which means the dog has succumbed to his illness and now it's too late to save the dog.

Heartworm Treatment for Dogs

A chemical therapy can be used to treat heartworm in dogs. As the treatment involves use of chemicals, it should be administered by a veterinarian because the dead worms may get deposited in the lungs and can even kill the dog. Surgery can be another treatment option but is usually done when the infection becomes severe or reaches the last stage. There are many heartworm medications designed to prevent dogs from developing heartworms or destroy the microfilaria inside the dog's body before the it grows into an adult heartworm. However, these medications won't keep the dog 100% heartworm-safe and should be taken under a veterinarian's supervision.

Therefore, if you observe any of the above mentioned dog heartworm symptoms, don't ignore and immediately take your dog to the veterinarian, as early diagnose will save your dog from chronic heart failure and eventual death. You can also practice some preventive measures to maintain your dog's health, like keeping the dog's sleeping area clean, using repellent sprays or giving prescribed preventive medications to your dog. A healthy dog is a happy dog.