Dog Heartworm Disease

Dog Heartworm disease: what is it?

Heartworm is a condition in dogs caused by a certain type of parasite. These parasites are transmitted to your pet through mosquitoes. If you are living in an area where there are lots of mosquitoes during the night, it is very important that you seriously consider heartworm prevention measures for your dog.

Heartworm is a very dangerous disease. It can kill your dog if you don’t do something about it.

The moment heartworm-transmitting mosquitoes bite your dog, the larvae will be transferred into its bloodstream. It will incubate there for several days. That’s the on-start of the disease. If left ignored, the parasites will eventually cause your pet a lot of harm. As such, it has to be treated right away.

If your dog sleeps outside in the Summer months (as mine do) I suggest you get a blood test ASAP.    I had my dogs tested and one of them tested positive.    This resulted in her having to take Asprin to thin the blood for 2 weeks and then 2 very painfull injections in the back muscle’s , she had to continue on the Asprin for 3 more weeks and could not go out for any walks.

Both my dogs now take monthly heartworm tablets @ €5.00 each which prevents them ever contracting it in the future.

If you need any further information on this disease then please contact your local vet.

Thanks to Diane Martin, Chico Bueno Dog Grooming for submitting this article