How To Treat A Dog With Heartworms

Introduction

Heartworm disease is a potentially fatal condition in dogs caused by parasitic roundworms. If left untreated, heartworms can grow up to 12 inches and live for 5-7 years in a dog’s heart and lungs. Treatment of heartworm is expensive, so it’s important to understand how to protect your dog from this parasite. Here’s what you need to know:

Signs And Symptoms Of Heartworm Disease.

The symptoms of heartworm disease in dogs can range from mild to severe. Mild signs of heartworm disease include:

Fever
Loss of appetite
Tiredness
Difficulty breathing (due to swelling in the chest area)

If you suspect your dog has heartworms, it is important to take them to the vet right away. If left untreated, a dog can be at risk for more serious complications including:

Swollen lymph nodes (the immune system organs that are located all over the body) – these may become painful and tender when touched by your finger or when they’re being pressed against objects in your house. They may also feel like they are full of fluid when pressed upon with a finger, which may cause pain if done too vigorously; this is caused by fluid buildup due to damage caused by parasite activity inside their bodies
Weight loss or jaundice – this occurs because there isn’t enough oxygen getting into their lungs due to blockages caused by worms blocking blood vessels near their hearts
Weakness – weakness occurs after long periods where fatigue makes it difficult for dogs’ bodies to receive oxygen from each breath taken while resting on both sides simultaneously

Where Do Heartworms Come From?

Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes, who become infected when they bite an infected dog. The mosquito has to feed on the dog’s blood for around a month before it can pass the worms onto its next victim.

When a mosquito bites your dog, it picks up heartworm larvae in its stomach and then passes them into its blood system. These larvae live in the mosquito’s abdomen until it bites another animal—which could be your dog, or any other warm-blooded mammal that has been infected before (including humans). Once inside the new host’s body, these parasites make their way through their lungs and into their hearts where they grow into adult worms over several months or years.

How Are Dogs Diagnosed With Heartworms?

Heartworm tests are typically done by a veterinarian, who will likely recommend the test if you bring your dog in for a visit. The most common type of heartworm test is an ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), which looks for antibodies to heartworms in the blood. If your dog tests positive, you can be confident that she has been exposed to heartworms and needs treatment.

What Happens If You Don’t Treat Your Dog For Heartworm?

If you don’t treat your dog for heartworm, the consequences can be serious. Heartworms can cause damage to your pet’s heart, lungs and other organs. They also have the potential to be fatal if left untreated.

Heartworm-transmitted diseases are not limited to dogs and cats; humans are at risk too! If you don’t get treated for the worms in time, they can grow so large that it causes an obstruction in your airways. This can lead to death within only a few days of infection!

In addition to putting your life at risk by not getting treatment for this disease, you also put others in danger as well: other pets (dogs or cats) will catch these parasites when they come into contact with infected blood; as well as humans who may be exposed through contact with an infected animal’s feces (poop).

Treatment Options For A Dog With Heartworms.

Treatment options for heartworm in dogs include:

Heartworm prevention. The best way to treat heartworm is by preventing it from occurring in the first place. Using a monthly heartworm preventative will ensure your dog won’t contract the disease and can live a healthy life without worry.
Antibiotics and steroids. If your dog has an active infection, then antibiotics and steroids may be prescribed as part of their treatment plan. This combination works to slow down or stop any further damage from occurring while killing off adult worms that are already present in their bloodstreams. Allowing time for these medications to do their job will also help reduce pain and discomfort associated with symptoms like coughing, difficulty breathing and lethargy so that you know that your pet has received all of the care they need during this stressful time of recovery!

Best Ways To Prevent Heartworm Disease In Dogs.

How to treat a dog with heartworms.
Best Ways To Prevent Heartworm Disease In Dogs.
Heartworm prevention for dogs in the winter.
Heartworm prevention for dogs in the summer.
Heartworm prevention for dogs in the spring, and fall as well.

It’s important if you have a dog to be aware of heartworms!

Heartworms are dangerous parasites that can infect dogs and cats. The biggest issue with heartworms is that they are preventable and treatable, but many pet owners don’t realize they have a problem until it’s too late.

Heartworm infection symptoms include weight loss, pale gums, coughing and breathing problems. If your dog has these symptoms he should see a vet right away!

Conclusion

Now you know how to treat heartworms in dogs. You also know where heartworms come from and the signs to look out for. Heartworm disease is a serious condition that can cause your dog pain and suffering if not treated quickly. If you think your dog has a heartworm, it’s important to take them to a vet as soon as possible!