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Dog Health...Parasites...Heartworm Dog Health - ParasitesHeartworm Heartworm is a parasitic roundworm (Dirofilaria immitis) that is spread from host to host through the bites of mosquitoes. The heartworm is a type of filaria, a small thread-like worm. The definitive host is the dog but it can also infect cats, wolves, coyotes, foxes and other animals, such as ferrets, sea lions and even, under very rare circumstances, humans. The parasite is commonly called "heartworm"; however, that is a misnomer because the adult actually resides in the pulmonary arterial system (lung arteries) for the most part, and the primary insult to the health of the animal is a manifestation of damage to the lung vessels and tissue. Occasionally, adult heartworms migrate to the right heart and even the great veins in heavy infections. Heartworm infection may result in serious disease for the host. Symptoms: Dogs show no indication of heartworm infection during the 6-month-long prepatent period prior to the worms' maturation, and current diagnostic tests for the presence of microfilariae or antigens cannot detect prepatent infections. Rarely, migrating heartworm larvae get "lost" and end up in unusual sites such as the eye, brain, or an artery in the leg, which results in unusual symptoms such as blindness, seizures and lameness. But normally, until the larvae mature and congregate inside the heart, they produce no symptoms or signs of illness. Many dogs will show little or no sign of infection even after the worms become adults. These animals usually have only a light infection and live a fairly sedentary lifestyle. However, active dogs and those with heavier infections may show the classic signs of heartworm disease. Early signs include a cough, especially on exercise and early exhaustion upon exercise. In the most advanced cases where many adult worms have built up in the heart without treatment, signs progress to severe weight loss, fainting, coughing up blood and, finally, congestive heart failure. Treatment: If an animal is diagnosed with heartworms, treatment may be indicated. Before the worms can be treated, however, the dog must be evaluated for heart, liver, and kidney function to evaluate the risks of treatment. Usually the adult worms are killed with an arsenic-based compound. The currently approved drug in the US, melarsomine dihydrochloride, is marketed under the brand name Immiticide. It has a greater efficiency and fewer side effects than previously used drug (thiacetarsamide sodium, sold as Caparsolate) which makes it a safer alternative for dogs with late-stage infections. After treatment, the dog must rest (restricted exercise) for several weeks so as to give its body sufficient time to absorb the dead worms without ill effect. Otherwise, when the dog is under exertion, dead worms may break loose and travel to the lungs, potentially causing respiratory failure and death. According to the American Heartworm Society, use of aspirin in dogs infected with heartworms is no longer recommended due to a lack of evidence of clinical benefit and may be contraindicated. It had previously been recommended for its effects on platelet adhesion and reduction of vascular damage caused by the heartworms. The course of treatment is not completed until several weeks later when the microfilariae are dealt with in a separate course of treatment. Once heartworm tests are negative, the treatment is considered a success. Surgical removal of the adult heartworms is also a treatment that may be indicated, especially in advanced cases with substantial heart involvement. Prevention: Prevention of heartworm infection can be obtained through a number of veterinary drugs. The drugs approved for use in the US are ivermectin (sold under the brand names Heartgard, Iverhart, and several other generic versions), milbemycin (Interceptor Flavor Tabs and Sentinel Flavor Tabs) and moxidectin (ProHeart) administered as pills or chewable tablets. Moxidectin is also available in both a 6-month and 12-month sustained release injection, ProHeart 6, ProHeart 12, administered by veterinarians. The injectable form of moxidectin was taken off the market in the United States due to safety concerns in 2004 but the FDA returned a newly formulated ProHeart 6 to the market in 2008. ProHeart 6 remains on the market in many other countries including Canada and Japan. Its sister product, ProHeart 12 is used extensively in Australia and Asia as a 12-month injectable preventive. Topical treatments are available as well. Advantage Multi (imidacloprid + moxidectin) Topical Solution, which utilizes moxidectin for control and prevention of roundworms, hookworms, heartworms, whipworms, as well as imidacloprid to kill adult fleas. Selamectin (Revolution), is a topical preventive that is likewise administered monthly and also controls fleas, ticks, and mites. Preventive drugs are highly effective and when regularly administered will protect more than 99 percent of dogs and cats from heartworm. Most compromises in protection result from failure to properly administer the drugs during seasonal transmission periods. In regions where the temperature is consistently above 14 °C (57 °F) year round, a continuous prevention schedule is recommended. It has been shown that lapses of up to 4 months between doses of Ivermectin-based products still provides 95% protection from adult worms. This 'safety net' period is called the 'Reach Back Effect'. Annual heartworm testing is highly recommended for pet owners who choose to use minimal dosing schedules. from: wikipedia A happy and healthy pet contributes to your own health and happiness. The articles here are constructed to help aide you in making informative decisions concerning your puppy and dog and your family. The intentions of these articles are to help give you choices on how to find your puppy, topics of discussions with family members before the decision to get a dog is set in stone, how to prepare your home for him, how to care for him throughout his life and how to spend quality, enjoyable time with him. Any medical advice or health information should never take the place of your veterinarian. If your dog is not feeling well or there is something wrong, don’t wait! Make a doctor’s appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible. We welcome any suggestions to our articles. Our contributors are working hard to bring you the most up-to-date quality information. Complete Dog Disease Directory Dog Parasites - Heartworm - Dog Health Issues Dog Health Parasites Heartworm Dog related information, articles and descriptive, educational videosincluding related dog parasites - heartworm - dog health issues videos when possible

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