Heartworm Symptoms In Dogs
Heartworm Symptoms in Dogs: What you Need to Know
Heartworm symptoms in dogs are subtle and are often overlooked until the heartworm disease is at an advanced stage. Heartworm disease is prevalent throughout the United States, however the symptoms are very subtle and it is not usually discovered and diagnosed until late in the disease. Prevention of heartworms is highly recommended by veterinarians.
Heartworms are transmitted between dogs by mosquitoes. Heartworms are parasites. The adult heartworm can reach more than 10 inches in length. Despite the name, the heartworms generally do not reside in the heart itself. They take up residence in the vascular system near the heart, primarily in the lungs and sometimes the liver.
Heartworm symptoms in dogs are caused by the damage done to the blood vessel walls. The vessel walls thicken and cause blockages of blood flow. As the lung vessels are damaged, the infected dog will develop a mild cough. This mild cough is usually the first symptom to appear. The cough is generally mild and dry. Pet owners often tend to attribute this symptom to a cold rather than something more serious.
Another pulmonary related symptom of heartworm infection is labored breathing. Labored breathing may look like the dog is gasping for air or is short of breath. It definitely appears different from normal dog panting. Any significant breathing difficulties in dogs can indicate serious health problems and a veterinarian should be sought out for a diagnosis. Eventually heartworm disease will lead to severe coughing. This is a deep and persistent cough and should be checked out immediately.
Often in heartworm disease, the dog becomes intolerant to exercise or other physical activity. An active dog that suddenly becomes lethargic should always prompt a visit to the veterinarian since many canine diseases can cause lethargy.
Some heartworm symptoms in dogs are a result of the heartworms invading the vascular system of the liver. Jaundice is the hallmark symptom of liver disease and failure. This is an end-stage symptom of liver disease and most likely your dog will be very ill by the time this symptom becomes apparent. Jaundice in dogs is sometimes difficult to see. The white of the eye is the best place to see yellowing due to jaundice. Jaundice in dogs is never normal and should always be investigated further.
Prolonged loss of appetite is always a sign of illness in dogs. If your dog skips a meal or two, that is normal. But if your dog’s feeding patterns suddenly change and your dog is not interested in food, this could be a symptom of heartworm disease. With heartworm disease, loss of appetite can indicate that the disease is affecting the liver. Weight loss along with loss of appetite is also common in heartworm disease.
Coughs, lethargy, lack of appetite, and jaundice: any dog that exhibits all of those symptoms should surely raise concerns. The problem with heartworm disease is that all of the symptoms are not usually apparent until very late in the disease. A mild cough and a few lazy days could be attributed to many things. Unfortunately, most dog owners that bring their dog to the veterinarian with heartworm disease, do so too late. By the time the symptoms are severe enough to ring warning bells, the disease has usually too advanced to respond to treatment.
Heartworm infections cannot be accurately detected until approximately six months after infection. Treatment of heartworm infections can be effective if the disease has not advanced too far. Treatments include intravenous medication, intramuscular injections, and rest. The effects of treatment can cause additional problems due to the effect of the dying heartworms on the dogs system.
Prevention of heartworm infection is recommended by veterinarians. Prevention is as easy as daily or monthly medications. Prevention of heartworm infection, as with so many other diseases, is the best way to manage the illness.