Veterinarians Near By Me | Heartworm Disease is Treatable
Although veterinarians near by me say that the best way to treat heartworm. Is to prevent an animal from ever getting this parasitic disease.
However, many pet owners may not know about this disease. Or how they should go about preventing the disease.
Or, they do not know what they need to do to prevent their dog or cat from getting this disease. Although it is extremely preventable.
Pet owners can get preventative medicine from veterinarians near by me. And it is a once monthly topical, or chewable medicine. That pet owners need to give their pet every month.
It is not that expensive as well. And for many people, and entire year supply of the medicine. Depending on their animals wait. Can cost anywhere between $40-$80 per year.
Therefore, once pet owners learn what they need to do to protect their animals. They can start getting this treatment. So that they can protect their pet from ever getting heartworm.
However, veterinarians near by me recommend pet owners get a blood test. In order to detect if there pet has heartworm. So that they can guarantee that their pet does not have heartworm before starting the medication.
This blood test can be done at any typical veterinarian appointment. And the results can be done on the spot as well. This blood test in dogs detects heartworm proteins called antigens.
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That are released by adults female heartworm’s into the bloodstream. If these proteins are present, their pet will test positive for heartworm’s.
However, in cats the tests is looking for something slightly different. They are looking for antibodies that are present in the cat’s blood. That the cats body produces, in response to heartworm larva being present.
In order to authorize veterinarians to the testing procedure. Pet owners need to sign a waiver indicating they authorize the veterinarian to draw blood.
Regardless of the size of the animal, they will only need to draw 3 drops of blood. To test for the antigens or anti-bodies in the animal’s blood. To find out if they are positive for heartworm.
However, people also need to take into consideration that this test can also look for a wide variety of diseases caused by being bitten by ticks. And since ticks are prevalent within this country.
Testing for take diseases is extremely proactive. The test will look for the presence of Lyme disease, I ihrlichosis, as well as anaplasmosis.
If the animal tests positive for heartworm. The benefit to that, is that their prognosis is significantly better. Then diagnosing them once they start showing physical symptoms.
Since an animal can live for several years with heartworm. Once they have started exhibiting physical symptoms. They are already very sick animals, and may not withstand the treatment very well.
Therefore, a regular appointment with their veterinarian. Can ensure that they do not end up developing a severe case of heartworm. But that they can also guard against this terrible disease.
Veterinarians Near By Me | Heartworm Disease is Treatable
Many pet owners have heard that heartworm disease is very terrible according to veterinarians near by me. However, they do not know a lot about this disease. Including how their pet white get it. Or what it exactly is.
The only way for pets to contract heartworm disease. Is through the bite of an infected mosquito says veterinarians near by me.
And while many people think that this is an extremely rare occurrence. According to the tri-annual heartworm society. They did a survey that showed that the number of animals being diagnosed with heartworm is on the rise within the United States of America.
Since there are more animals than ever before being diagnosed with this disease. People should protect their animals because it is extremely preventable.
How the cycle continues to perpetuate itself. Is that an infected mosquito bites and uninfected animal. And transfers the heartworm larva called dirofilaria into the animals bloodstream.
Once in the bloodstream, the larva will grow into a full-grown adult heartworm. In a process that takes between 6 and 7 months.
Once the adult heartworm has reached full-size, they will start looking for a place to live, grow and reproduce. Typically looking for openings in the animal body.
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Most typically their heart. Which is where the heartworm gets its name. But also the lungs are another common location for heartworm’s to infect.
Once the heartworm is inside the animals organ. It can live therefore of great number of years. 2 to 3 years in cats. As well as 5 to 7 years in dogs.
During this time, one single heartworm can create hundreds of larva. And it is not uncommon for infected animals to have hundreds of full-grown heartworm’s living in their organs.
If an animal starts exhibiting symptoms of heartworm. Pet owners should notice that coughing and difficulty breathing is a common sign. As the heartworm grows inside the animals lungs.
In dogs, they will also become extremely lethargic and lose weight. While in cats, the symptoms are completely different.
While cats will also cough and have difficulty breathing. They will also refuse food, vomit, and faint. In addition to having difficulty walking, and having seizures.
Once an animal is this infected. They already quite sick. And organ failure is very close. Which is why it is extremely important for pet owners to do the blood tests every year by their veterinarians near by me.
To find out if their pet is infected. Before it gets this bad. Because a sick animal will have a much more difficult time with treatment. And can cause them distress.
The treatment for heartworm is lengthy and expensive. And the drugs used to kill the heartworm’s are arsenic-based. Which means pets that are less healthy. May be more at risk by the treatment.
The treatment includes an injection of an antibiotic called doxycycline. Which weakens the heartworm’s and sterilizes them. Before injecting an arsenic-based drug.
While heartworm disease is treatable. It is much easier, less expensive and more preferred. To simply prevent it from happening in the first place. By administering a monthly medication to their animal.