What is canine heartworm disease

Canine heartworm disease is a blood parasitic disease caused by dog ​​heartworms. Its main route of transmission is mosquito bites. Canine heartworm disease is a disease that seriously endangers the health of pet dogs. It can infect pet dogs of any age. Canine heartworm adult worms parasitize in the heart and cause heart damage. It can also affect the liver, kidneys, eyes and central nervous system. Nervous system, if left untreated, can lead to death.

Symptoms of canine heartworm disease

This type of canine heartworm can parasitize the newly created right ventricle and pulmonary arteries of dogs. Over time, it will have an impact on the dog's heart and lungs, and in severe cases, it can lead to the death of the dog. Dogs suffering from canine heartworm disease will have the following symptoms:

1. Asthma: Dogs with respiratory system disorders will experience shortness of breath and difficulty breathing, and will also be accompanied by coughing symptoms.
Poor exercise ability: After a period of activity, the dog will show an abnormally tired and weak state and be unwilling to exercise.
2. Anemia: Dogs will have symptoms of anemia. This will cause the dog to be lethargic, lose appetite, or even stop eating or drinking. Over time, the dog will lose a lot of weight and suffer from severe malnutrition. , the dog's immunity is greatly reduced, their physical fitness is low, and they are weak and sick. They may even lie down until death.
Ascites: The dog's abdomen becomes significantly enlarged, swollen, and droops, and makes a water-like sound when touched.

Preventive methods of canine heartworm disease

Once infected, the early symptoms are not obvious and difficult to detect. By the time pet owners notice the symptoms, it is basically already in the advanced stage. Treatment is expensive and time-consuming. A good “treatment” is prevention.

There are three ways to prevent canine heartworm disease: oral, topical, and intramuscular injection.

Oral administration: Take heartworm preventive medicine regularly every month. In addition to preventing heartworms, it also has a preventive effect on other parasites in the gastrointestinal tract.

External use: Monthly external deworming, in addition to preventing heartworms, can also repel fleas, ticks, etc.

Intramuscular injection: One injection after the dog is six months old, and then one injection regularly every year.