{"id":2466,"date":"2024-06-27T18:35:49","date_gmt":"2024-06-27T18:35:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/gingercavalier.com\/blog\/?p=2466"},"modified":"2024-06-27T18:35:49","modified_gmt":"2024-06-27T18:35:49","slug":"how-do-dogs-get-heartworm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gingercavalier.com\/blog\/how-do-dogs-get-heartworm\/","title":{"rendered":"How Do Dogs Get Heartworm?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-family: Roboto; font-weight: 500; font-size: 18px; color: rgb(113, 113, 113);\">Heartworm or Dirofilariosis is a widespread and potentially deadly parasitic disease that can be observed everywhere around the world.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>While our blog&#8217;s mascot is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, these tips apply to any breed.<\/p>\n<p>The causative agent of the disease are worms that live and persist inside the heart, the associated blood vessels, and the the lungs causing organ dysfunctions, heart failure, severe lung disease and anemia.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_87_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6aaa4f61ea251\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6aaa4f61ea251\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/gingercavalier.com\/blog\/how-do-dogs-get-heartworm\/#About_Heartworm\" >About Heartworm<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/gingercavalier.com\/blog\/how-do-dogs-get-heartworm\/#Getting_Heartworm\" >Getting Heartworm<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/gingercavalier.com\/blog\/how-do-dogs-get-heartworm\/#Symptoms_of_Heartworm_Disease\" >Symptoms of Heartworm Disease<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/gingercavalier.com\/blog\/how-do-dogs-get-heartworm\/#Treatment_Therapy_and_Prevention\" >Treatment, Therapy and Prevention<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"About_Heartworm\"><\/span>About Heartworm<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The worms inside the dog\u2019s body mature in time developing into adult forms and eventually the parasites reproduce and create offspring.<\/p>\n<p>This makes the dogs \u2018natural hosts\u2019 for the disease. The illness is silent and in the initial stages of the diseases there is absence of any obvious symptoms.<\/p>\n<p>When the disease is left untreated the chances of severe organ damage are high. Because of this owners are advised to make heartworm tests from time to time and use proper preventative medications following veterinarian prescription.<\/p>\n<p><iframe class=\"lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/lyKtoHmSLZ4?feature=oembed\" title=\"Canine Heartworm Disease\" width=\"618\" height=\"348\"  frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Getting_Heartworm\"><\/span>Getting Heartworm<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>The disease is vector-borne which means that the only possible way to be transmitted from one animal to another is by an intermediate organism, in this case the mosquito. <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>As we mentioned before the heartworm lifecycle happens inside a dog\u2019s organism, but also in wolves, foxes and coyotes. If you carefully read the previous part you are probably aware that a direct contact with an infected animal won\u2019t do your dog any harm.<\/p>\n<p><strong>When a mosquito attaches on an infected animal\u2019s skin and connects with its bloodstream while sucking the blood meal, the insect picks up the offspring of the heartworms. <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/gingercavalier.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/5230b96cd9573.image1_.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"http:\/\/gingercavalier.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/5230b96cd9573.image1_.jpg\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2480 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" alt=\"\" width=\"638\" height=\"433\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2480\" src=\"http:\/\/gingercavalier.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/5230b96cd9573.image1_.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"638\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gingercavalier.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/5230b96cd9573.image1_.jpg 638w, https:\/\/gingercavalier.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/5230b96cd9573.image1_-300x204.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gingercavalier.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/5230b96cd9573.image1_-110x75.jpg 110w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 638px) 100vw, 638px\" \/><\/noscript><\/a><\/p>\n<p>These microscopic children are called microfilaria. Once inside the mosquito the microfilaria starts maturing and reaching an infective stage for about 10 to 14 days.<\/p>\n<p><strong>After the infective larvae of heartworm is fully developed inside the mosquito, the next time the insect takes a blood meal from an animal it will automatically infect the organism.<\/strong> The mosquito deposits the infective larvae on the animal\u2019s skin and by sucking the dogs\u2019 blood it leaves a bite wound through which the parasite enters the bloodstream and causes infection.<\/p>\n<p><strong>In about half a year the infective agent will develop into mature heartworm with a life-span of 5-7 years.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Symptoms_of_Heartworm_Disease\"><\/span>Symptoms of Heartworm Disease<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The early stage of the disease is asymptomatic or there a few insignificant signs. <strong>During progressed stages of the disease the dogs become reluctant to physical activities, experience series of persistent coughing, and lose their appetite and weight<\/strong>. In cases of extreme parasite invasions the development of heart failure, cardiovascular collapse and swollen abdomen as a result of excess fluid are are frequently observed.<\/p>\n<p><iframe class=\"lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/MYWFf2bwSUI?feature=oembed\" title=\"Symptoms of Heart Worm Disease\" width=\"618\" height=\"348\"  frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Treatment_Therapy_and_Prevention\"><\/span>Treatment, Therapy and Prevention<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Treating clinical heartworm<\/strong> in dogs is a bit tricky so the best option for dog owners is prevention. Dogs should be annually tested for heartworm at the vet clinic.<\/p>\n<p>The <strong>preventative treatment<\/strong> can start when the puppies are under 7 months of age. If started early there is no need for a heartworm test prior to the initial treatment. If the treatment starts when the dog is over 7 months of age, a diagnostic test must be made before, and two times after the treatment.<\/p>\n<p><iframe class=\"lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/1CUpfQ27fPQ?feature=oembed\" title=\"Heartworm Treatment: Part I - The Disease and Treatment\" width=\"618\" height=\"348\"  frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>Antibiotics may be prescribed because of a bacteria found living inside the heartworms<\/strong>.\u00a0 \u00a0When the heartworms die, they release a bacteria known as <strong>Wolbachia<\/strong>, which contributes to an inflammatory response to the dog&#8217;s body.\u00a0 It is believed that the presence of Wolbachia may cause the body to cause an immune response that could worsen the heartworm disease and cause lung and kidney inflammation seen in dogs with this condition.<\/p>\n<p>Many veterinarians begin treatment by prescribing <strong>doxycycline<\/strong>.\u00a0 The heartworm treatment only kills adult worms, so veterinarians may prescribe a monthly heartworm preventive to kill the smaller larvae before initiating adult heartworm treatment.<\/p>\n<p>The administration of <strong>corticosteroids<\/strong> may also be given as a preventive which also helps reduce inflammation.<\/p>\n<p><iframe class=\"lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/35MGazxK-aU?feature=oembed\" title=\"Heartworm Treatment: Part II - Treating an Infected Dog\" width=\"618\" height=\"348\"  frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>The treatment for heartworm disease takes at least 60 days to complete and consists of a series of drug injections that kills the worms; an organic arsenical compound that is injected into the dog&#8217;s lumbar, or back, muscles.<\/p>\n<p>On the days injections are given, your dog must stay in the hospital for observation to make sure it doesn\u2019t have any serious reactions to the treatment. Your veterinarian may also prescribe a tapering dose of steroids for a period of time following the injections.<\/p>\n<p>To follow up on treatment, your dog should be retested\u00a0 after six months to ensure that all of the larvae, microfilariae and adult worms are gone.\u00a0 Dogs who remain heartworm positive after six months may need to repeat treatment to kill the remaining worms.<\/p>\n<p><em>This post is brought to you by our pet deals and coupon site, <a href=\"https:\/\/petcoupon.net\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Pet Coupon<\/a>.\u00a0 Check us out for our best deals and favorite pet supplies and gift ideas.\u00a0 As always, please check with your veterinarian if you have questions about treatments and your dog&#8217;s health.<\/em><\/p>\n<p id=\"kc_opp\"><small>Originally posted 2018-06-20 17:55:30. Republished by  <a href=\"http:\/\/www.blogtrafficexchange.com\/\">Blog Post Promoter<\/a><\/small><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Heartworm or Dirofilariosis is a widespread and potentially deadly parasitic disease that can be observed everywhere around the world. While our blog&#8217;s mascot is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, these tips apply to any breed. The causative agent of the disease are worms that live and persist inside the heart, the associated blood vessels, and &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2480,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17,11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2466","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","","category-featured-home","category-health"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t<!-- All in One SEO 5.0.0.1 - aioseo.com -->\n\t<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Heartworm or Dirofilariosis is a widespread and potentially deadly parasitic disease that can be observed everywhere around the world. While our blog&#039;s mascot is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, these tips apply to any breed. 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