Heartworm Disease is a
serious and potentially fatal threat
to your pet.
Heartworm Disease is transmitted animal to animal by mosquitoes, putting
both inside and outside pets at risk. Heartworms live in the heart and lungs of infected animals and can cause heart
damage. In cats the only sign of heartworm disease may be sudden death.
The good news is there are monthly
heartworm preventative medications which are the best approach to this disease. See the comparison charts below for
some options. Discuss with your veterinarian which one is best for you and your pet.
Signs of Heartworm Disease in Dogs:
- Mild, persistent cough
- Breathing
difficulty
- Sluggishness
- Fatigue after
moderate exercise
- Reduced appetite
- Weight loss
Most dogs in the early stages of heartworm disease do not display outward signs. A blood
test can determine if a dog has heartworm disease or not. Annual blood tests in the spring are recommended even
if the dog is on heartworm prevention year round.
A dog
that tests positive for heartworm disease can be treated to eliminate both the adult heartworms and the microfilariae.
Your veterinarian can discuss recommended treatments with you. Once the dog is successfully treated, heartworm preventative
medication can be started.
Signs of Heartworm Disease in Cats:
- Vomiting and gagging
- Breathing
difficulty
- Lethargy
- Weight
loss
- Sudden death
Feline
heartworm disease can be difficult to detect and diagnose as the symptoms mimic other feline diseases. There is no approved
treatment for heartworm infection in cats. Reliable prevention, however, is available.
The Heartworm Cycle
- An
animal infected with heartworm disease has immature heartworms, called microfilariae, in it's blood. When a mosquito
takes a blood meal from an infected animal, the mosquito swallows the microfilariae.
- The swallowed microfilariae enter the mosquito's tissues where they grow into infective larvae.
- When the mosquito feeds on the next animal, the infective larvae escape from it's mouth
and enter the animal's skin through the bite wound.
- If
a cat or dog is not on a heartworm prevention program, the larvae can invade the heart and pulmonary arteries within 6 months
of the initial infection.
- Heartworms will accumulate in the right
side of the heart and pulmonary arteries and cause severe pulmonary bascular disease which can lead to heart failure.
- The cycle continues as adult heartworms produce microfilariae which
circulate in the blood stream.
- The heartworm life cycle repeats
itself when the mosuito takes a blood meal from an infected dog or cat, ingests microfilariae, and bites an unprotected
animal. The mosquito is the intermediate host required for development and transmission of the infective larvae.
Heartworm Preventative Medication Comparison Chart For
Dogs
Three monthly heartworm prevention products are compared below.
Pharmaceutical companies
have and continue to release new products.
You can use the information provided below to compare them.
|
|
|
|
Revolution
|
|
|
|
|
Yes
|
|
|
|
Flea prevention only by preventing their eggs from hatching and does
not kill adult fleas
|
Kills adult fleas and prevents their eggs from hatching. Controls tick
infestation. Also treats and controls ear mite infestation and sarcoptic mange.
|
|
|
Treat and control of Ascarids (Roundworms) and Hookworms infection. |
Control of adult hookworm; removal and control of adult roundworm and
whipworm infections.
|
None
|
|
|
|
Chewable flavored tablets |
Topical solution applied between pet's shoulder blades directly onto
the skin. Waterproof.
|
|
|
|
|
Once a month
|
Please
call our office for pricing
Heartworm Preventative Medication Comparison Chart
For Cats
Two monthly heartworm prevention products are compared below.
Pharmaceutical companies
have and continue to release new products.
You can use the information provided below to compare them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kills adult fleas and prevents their eggs from hatching. Also
treats and controls ear mite infestation.
|
|
|
Remove and control infections of hookworm. |
Treatment of intestinal hookworm and roundworm infections. |
|
|
|
Topical solution applied between pet's shoulder blades directly
onto the skin. Waterproof.
|
|
|
|
|
Please
call our office for pricing
