Heart Worm Testing & Prevention

Heartworm disease is on the rise in the Sarnia-Lambton region, particularly in areas near water. This disease is caused by a parasite that resides in the blood vessels of a dog’s heart. Adult heartworms generate offspring known as microfilariae, which circulate in the infected dog’s blood.

The transmission of heartworm begins when a mosquito feeds on an infected dog, drawing blood containing the microfilariae. Over approximately two weeks within the mosquito, the microfilariae undergo a transformation into infective larvae, a crucial step for heartworm transmission. When the mosquito then bites another dog, it transfers these infective larvae.

The infective larvae traverse the dog’s tissues, reaching the heart within 2 to 3 months. In the heart, these larvae mature into adult heartworms. From the initial mosquito bite to the point where adult heartworms produce microfilariae, approximately six months elapse. Understanding this lifecycle is essential for comprehending the transmission and progression of heartworm disease in dogs.

Heartworm Symptoms

In the initial phases of heartworm infection, some dogs may exhibit no discernible symptoms. As the disease advances, dogs might experience challenges such as difficulty breathing, coughing, lethargy, weight loss, and a deteriorating coat. Without timely detection and proper intervention, heartworm can progress to congestive heart failure, ultimately leading to fatality. Early testing for the presence of heartworm disease and prompt treatment can forestall the onset of symptoms.

Crucial to averting heartworm complications is preventive measures. In cases where treatment becomes necessary for a dog already diagnosed with heartworm, there exists only one medication effective for addressing heartworm disease. The treatment of heartworm disease is a long and difficult course of treatment.