Bath Veterinary Clinic
 |  |  |  |  |
Heartworms...
the silent killer.
the silent killer.
In the course of our work with rescue
organizations, BVC treats dozens of cases of
heartworm each year. Treatment is expensive,
and it's not easy for the infected dogs. Left
untreated, dogs with heartworm will die. Such a
avoidable heartbreak - prevention is so easy!
Why is having your dog on heartworm
preventative so important? Why do dogs need to
be tested before starting preventative?
This article should provide you with all of the
basic information you need to keep your dog safe
and heartworm-free.
organizations, BVC treats dozens of cases of
heartworm each year. Treatment is expensive,
and it's not easy for the infected dogs. Left
untreated, dogs with heartworm will die. Such a
avoidable heartbreak - prevention is so easy!
Why is having your dog on heartworm
preventative so important? Why do dogs need to
be tested before starting preventative?
This article should provide you with all of the
basic information you need to keep your dog safe
and heartworm-free.
What are heartworms?
Heartworm - Dirofilaria immitis -is a parasite that is spread through mosquito
bites. When an infected mosquito bites another animal, very tiny larvae (also
called microfilariae) enter the animal’s skin. The larvae grow for about 3 months
and then migrate to the heart where they mature into adults. Most common in
dogs, but also prevalent in cats, the heartworm, a long thread-like worm, lives
in the arteries of the lungs and also in the right side of the heart of its host.
Heartworm is extremely dangerous and not to be taken lightly. It is prevalent in
all 50 states, and on every continent except Antarctica. It is easily transmitted
and contracted. Once in its host, the parasite rapidly multiplies and grows,
invading the chambers on the right side of the heart and the arteries in the
lungs. Treatment for heartworm disease is expensive and can mean weeks of
discomfort. Pets that go untreated will die.
Heartworm - Dirofilaria immitis -is a parasite that is spread through mosquito
bites. When an infected mosquito bites another animal, very tiny larvae (also
called microfilariae) enter the animal’s skin. The larvae grow for about 3 months
and then migrate to the heart where they mature into adults. Most common in
dogs, but also prevalent in cats, the heartworm, a long thread-like worm, lives
in the arteries of the lungs and also in the right side of the heart of its host.
Heartworm is extremely dangerous and not to be taken lightly. It is prevalent in
all 50 states, and on every continent except Antarctica. It is easily transmitted
and contracted. Once in its host, the parasite rapidly multiplies and grows,
invading the chambers on the right side of the heart and the arteries in the
lungs. Treatment for heartworm disease is expensive and can mean weeks of
discomfort. Pets that go untreated will die.
1735 North Cleveland-Massillon Road, Bath, OH 44214 330.666.0018
Why is testing for heartworm so important?
Blood tests are available to help identify antigens (small protein and
carbohydrate components) of heartworms in the bloodstream. Test kits run one
sample at a time and can be done right at Bath Veterinary Clinic
Testing for heartworms before starting preventative is critical. Since early
heartworm disease may not cause any symptoms at all, having a test done can
identify the problem before it gets too severe. Even more important, if your
dog has not been on heartworm prevention, or has been off of prevention for
more than a month, testing is important. This is because dogs with heartworm
disease can actually have a severe and potentially life-threatening reaction
if they are given certain types of preventatives. The American Heartworm
Society (AHS) recommends yearly heartworm testing. Your BVC veterinarian
can help you to determine how frequently to test your pet.
Blood tests are available to help identify antigens (small protein and
carbohydrate components) of heartworms in the bloodstream. Test kits run one
sample at a time and can be done right at Bath Veterinary Clinic
Testing for heartworms before starting preventative is critical. Since early
heartworm disease may not cause any symptoms at all, having a test done can
identify the problem before it gets too severe. Even more important, if your
dog has not been on heartworm prevention, or has been off of prevention for
more than a month, testing is important. This is because dogs with heartworm
disease can actually have a severe and potentially life-threatening reaction
if they are given certain types of preventatives. The American Heartworm
Society (AHS) recommends yearly heartworm testing. Your BVC veterinarian
can help you to determine how frequently to test your pet.
Prevention is the key.
Preventing Heartworm Disease is far easier than curing it. Bath Veterinary
Clinic urges you to protect your pets – even cats, as they too are susceptible to
the mosquito bites that cause Heartworm Disease. Since cats can not be
properly treated for Heartworm Disease, prevention is imperative.
Prevention is the key to keeping your pets free of the parasite – even if they
encounter the disease-carrying mosquito. Preventative medications come in
monthly oral and topical forms and can be obtained from BVC along with a
heartworm checkup. Heartworm prevention is safe, inexpensive (certainly
much cheaper than treating for heartworm idisease!) and easy to follow and
should be maintained all year long – NOT just in the summer months.
Our BVC doctors can help you decide which heartworm preventative is best for
your pet. The alternative can be expensive, painful and even deadly.
Preventing Heartworm Disease is far easier than curing it. Bath Veterinary
Clinic urges you to protect your pets – even cats, as they too are susceptible to
the mosquito bites that cause Heartworm Disease. Since cats can not be
properly treated for Heartworm Disease, prevention is imperative.
Prevention is the key to keeping your pets free of the parasite – even if they
encounter the disease-carrying mosquito. Preventative medications come in
monthly oral and topical forms and can be obtained from BVC along with a
heartworm checkup. Heartworm prevention is safe, inexpensive (certainly
much cheaper than treating for heartworm idisease!) and easy to follow and
should be maintained all year long – NOT just in the summer months.
Our BVC doctors can help you decide which heartworm preventative is best for
your pet. The alternative can be expensive, painful and even deadly.
| HOURS: Monday, Tuesday and Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. * Every other Saturday 8:30 a.m. to noon. By appointment only, client emergencies can be worked in. For boarding hours, click here. |
| Bath Veterinary Clinic 1735 North Cleveland-Massillon Rd., P.O. Box 247 Bath, Ohio 44214 330.666.0018 Copyright 2010, Bath Veterinary Clinic, Bath, Ohio. All rights reserved. |
