With spring right around the corner now, we will be entering the heartworm season. Once the mosquitos start to fly we need to make sure our pets are protected. This month we are going to give you information on heartworm and tell you how to prevent your pet from getting them.


What are heartworms?

Heartworms are parasites that live in an animals heart, adjoining blood vessels and lungs where they interfere with normal blood flow. They are thin, white and between 6 and 14 inches long at maturity. If left untreated they can be fatal.


Where do heartworms come from?

Heartworms are transmitted from animal to animal ONLY by mosquitoes. An infected animal can have thousands of microfilariae, or baby heartworms in its blood. When a mosquito bites, the microfilariae infect the mosquito where they grow for several weeks before being transferred to another animal. Once in the new animals blood, the microfilariae migrate through the body for several months until they enter the heart and mature into adults, where they begin reproducing and cause health problems. It takes 6 to 7 months from the time of the infected mosquito bite to the time the heartworms reproduce. At this point a mosquito bite will be able to transfer the infection to a new animal.


Can people and other animals become infected?

Domestic dogs, cats and ferrets can become infected. Also wolves, foxes, coyotes and raccoons can get heartworm disease.
There have been some instances of heartworm infection in people but this is rare.


Clinical signs and symptoms

Coughing, difficulty breathing, weight loss, and listlessness, fainting and even sudden death during exertion are symptoms of the disease. By the time heartworm disease causes symptoms, the disease is probably very advanced.


Diagnosis

A quick blood test can detect heartworm disease. Ideally, this test should be done on a yearly basis.
If your pet tests positive, more extensive blood work and x-rays will be done to determine the extent of the damage and evaluate for treatment.


Treatment for a heartworm positive dog

The start of treatment consists of an injection during which time your dog must be hospitalized and monitored for any side effects and also to restrict activity. This injection kills the adult heartworms. Another two injections are given four weeks later at which time your dog will be hospitalized again to monitor and restrict activity.
Your pet must have restricted activity during this entire time to prevent the dying worms from clogging and damaging small arteries in the lungs.


Prevention

There are several products out there that protect against heartworm disease. We recommend Heartgard Plus, it is a real beef chewable tablet which is given on a monthly basis. Heartgard Plus also treats and controls roundworms and hookworms.


We want to help you prevent your dog from getting heartworm disease through appropriate testing and preventative medication. Give us a call at 262-284-700 or e-mail us at pets@saukvillevet.com to schedule your pets yearly heartworm test and pick up your Heartgard Plus.
We are matching online pricing on our Heartgard Plus and Frontline Plus ask us for details.


“ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN"

Enter for a chance to win a free Heartworm/Erlichia/Lyme/Anaplasmosis Test. This tests for heartworm disease and three tick born diseases. If you have already had the test for the year you can still enter and if you win it will be applied as a credit on your account. This is a $54.00 value.
Just email us at saukvet@wi.twbc.com, call at 262-284-7000, or drop off your name and phone number for a chance to win. Drawing will be April 1st.


“EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!”

On February 19 -21 Dr. Stephani and Veterinary Assistant Amber Ackley were at the U.P. 200 Dog Sled Race in the Upper Peninsula. They were part of the veterinary team to make sure that all the dogs are healthy enough to run the race. For more information see Saukville Vet Clinics face book page and click on fan page.



Have A Great Month!



Saukville Veterinary Clinic Staff