Discovering that your dog has been diagnosed with heartworm disease is surely a distressing experience. Heartworms in dogs are a serious condition that impacts internal organs such as the heart and lungs and can prove to be fatal. However, with the right care and attention, your heartworm-positive dog can recover and lead a healthy, happy life.
In this blog, we’ll explore the fundamentals of heartworm disease, covering the cause, symptoms, treatment, and preventive measures. Plus, we’ve included a care guide for heartworm-positive dogs. With this valuable information, you’ll be able to help your beloved dog better in their moment of distress.
But before we move to the care guide, let’s understand the fundamentals.
What is Heartworm Disease?
Heartworm disease is a parasitic infection caused by a parasiticworm called Dirofilariaimmitis and can be potentially life-threatening if not addressedtimely.These worms are transmitted through infected mosquito bites and thrive inside the dog. Theycan grow up to be foot-long and enter into the dog’s heart, lungs, and blood vessels, causing severe health issues.
Here are the common symptoms of heartworm disease in dogs:
- Cough
- Weight loss
- Decreased appetite
- Lethargy
- Shortness of breath
- Swollen abdomen
- Exercise intolerance
- Fainting
If you notice your dog exhibiting one or more of these symptoms, take them to the vet and get them tested for heartworms.
What Does Heartworm-Positive Mean?
It is when a dog is tested and found to be infected with heartworm. The vet usuallyassesses the symptoms and takes a blood sample for the following tests.
Antigen test: This test is done to detect the presence of adult female worms in your dog’s blood.
Microfilaria test:This test detects the presence of heartworm larvae, called microfilaria in the blood.
Based on these results, the vet confirms whether the dog is heartworm-positive or not and accordingly moves forward with the treatment.
What to Expect During the Treatment of Heartworm Disease?
The goal of heartworm treatment is to reduce the symptoms and eliminate all stages of heartworm from the body.The vet will prescribe doxycycline, an antibiotic to kill a symbiote organism within the heartworm, and thenmelarsomine to eliminate the adult worms.
In some cases, anti-inflammatory treatmentsare also prescribed. Heartworm preventive treatments are also given to prevent further infection. However, the most crucial aspect of heartworm treatment is providing intensive care to your dog.
Tips to Care for Heartworm-Positive Dogs
Here are some aspects that you need to keep in mind while caring for a heartworm-positive dog.
Restrict their activity
It’s integral to keep a heartworm-positive dog to stay calm,so it’s important to restrict their activity. Limit the walking time andkeep them on a leash during bathroom breaks so that they don’t suddenly bolt away. Plus, avoid activities like running, fetching, or any activity that raises heart rate significantly.
Stay indoors
Make sure you keep them indoors as much as possible. Provide them with a comfortable and clean environment to prevent further infection.
Provide required stimulation
With restricted activity, your heartworm-positive dog is bound to get boredand may resort to destructive behavior. So, provide them with appropriate stimulation with interactive toys, food puzzles, or something to chew on to keep them engaged.
Manage their diet
What to feed a dog with heartworms is a crucial aspect, as you don’t want to overfeed them. So maintain a healthy diet, keeping in mind their reduced activity level. You can give the meals in interactive or slow feeders to keep them entertained for long periods.
Vet communication
Maintain close communication with the vet and follow their instructions precisely, including the treatmentschedules and follow-up appointments. Take note of the changes in the symptoms and report them to the vet.
Measures to Prevent Heartworm Disease in Dogs
Following these preventive measures will help keep your dog safe from a great deal of discomfort due to heartworms.
- Keep up with regular vet visits
- Maintain a regular grooming routine
- Reduce your dog’s exposure to mosquitoes
- Don’t let water stand nearbyto avoid mosquito breeding
- Give your dog vet-recommended heartworm prevention treatment
- Administer vet-approved flea and tick treatment
- Use pet-friendly mosquito repellents
- Limit outdoor activities during dusk or dawn, when mosquitoes are most active
Parting Words
With this, we have come to the end of our care guide for heartworm-positive dogs. We hope this guide helps you navigate this condition better and ensures a faster recovery. Remember to give lots of love and care and implement preventive measures to help your dog lead a happy and healthy life.
