According to Rutgers University Cooperative Extension, heartworms are parasites that infect the heart and lungs of a dog. Heartworms are spread from an infected dog by a mosquito bite. The mosquito carries heartworm larvae, which it deposits into the blood with a bite. If not treated, heartworms can kill a dog.
Features
Heartworm larvae spend approximately 3 months growing in the dog's body. During that time, they migrate to the heart, where they can live for 5 to 7 years. An infected dog may have hundreds of heartworms. Heartworms grow from 9 to 14 inches in length.
Symptoms
Dogs may not show physical symptoms until the infestation is severe. Infected dogs eventually will cough, be lethargic and tire easily.
Diagnosis
A veterinarian will perform either a blood test for antigens produced by heartworms or antibodies that show the body is fighting an infestation. If the blood test is positive, X-rays to look at the lungs may be ordered to see if there is damage caused by the heartworms.
Treatment
According to Rutgers University, immiticide is the preferred treatment for heartworms. Immiticide is a drug that is injected into the dog's back muscles at intervals over a period of months. Rarely, surgery to remove the worms by hand may be required (see Resources).
Prevention/Solution
There are many prescription heartworm preventatives on the market. Preventatives control larvae and do not kill adult heartworms. Most preventatives are given monthly to dogs that live in areas prone to mosquitoes.
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