Dog diseases
Did you know there are worms that can live in a dog's heart? If not, we recommend reading this article. Today we'll discuss heartworm disease, a dangerous helminthic disease that causes irreversible damage to the lungs and heart of animals. The worms are only 1.3 mm in diameter but can reach up to 40 cm in length. A dog's body can harbor up to 250 of them at once![1] Adult heartworms can fill blood vessels and cause blockages, which is fatal for the animal.
The life cycle of dirofilariasisMosquitoes transmit heartworm disease. When a mosquito bites, it infects the animal with worm larvae, which then lodge in the dog's cardiovascular system. During the bite, the infected larvae enter the dog's body and remain in the skin and muscles for 2-3 months, developing to a certain stage. The mature larvae then travel through the bloodstream to the heart, where they become adults.
Signs of dirofilariasisThere are two types of dirofilariasis: subcutaneous and cardiopulmonary.
The main symptom of the subcutaneous form is itching and subcutaneous nodules that cause no discomfort to the dog. This symptom can be confused with other diseases, and the animal may not receive prompt treatment.
The signs of the cardiopulmonary form are quite obvious:
fatigue after playing or running; lethargy; heavy breathing; shortness of breath; cough; fainting; increased abdominal size due to fluid accumulation.These symptoms are also associated with cardiovascular dysfunction due to the presence of a large number of parasites. In this case, an immediate examination by a veterinarian is necessary.
Prevention and treatmentTo prevent infection, the American Heartworm Society recommends moxidectin-based medications in its recommendations for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of heartworm disease. This medication is available in Russia under the trade name Advocate®. The medication is manufactured by Bayer (Germany), a leading veterinary company. Advocate® targets heartworm larvae[2], stopping their development into adult parasites.
Take care of your dog's heart!
Nowadays, stress is an integral part of human life. We get tired at work, we get tired at home, and to cope, we turn to friends for advice, or, at best, to a psychologist, to prevent it from developing into something more serious. But pets, who joyfully greet us at the door, don't have this option. And yet, mental health issues persist.
