Veterinarians Near By Me | Heartworm Disease
Pet owners have often feared their pet developing heartworm says veterinarians near by me. Despite not knowing a lot about this disease.
The first thing that people need to understand. Is that this is a completely preventable disease. By taking medicine. That protects their dogs and cats from the larva of dirofilaria, or the heartworm.
How dogs and cats get infected with heartworm. Is being bitten by a mosquito infected with heartworms. As they bite a dog or cat, they transfer the heartworm a larva into the bloodstream of the animal.
And once in the bloodstream, the larva will grow into full-size heartworm’s. And will then enter into their organs. Typically their hearts or their lungs. While they reproduce, and grow in size.
Once an animal is infected with heartworm’s. Once a mosquito bite them. They will lay eggs that become infected with heartworm already.
Creating the cycle, of having mosquitoes infected with heartworm infecting more animals. Therefore, it is incredibly important for pet owners to prevent their pet from getting heartworm.
So that they are not inadvertently creating even more mosquitoes that are born infected with dirofilaria. The best part is says veterinarians near by me is that the preventative medicine is 100% effective.
The preventative medicine for heartworm is either a chewable medicine that they can feed their dogs or cats. That come in fun flavoured such as chicken, beef or pork.
Or, for dogs or cats that have experienced gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting or diarrhea. Right prefer a topical medicine instead. Where once a month, they can get the treatment applied to their fur.
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However, if pet owners are just protecting their pets against heartworm now. They may want to continue to get a test for heartworm with their veterinarians near by me.
So that they can ensure that their dog or cat has not developed heartworm’s in the interim. The test is very easy. And can be done in-house at their next appointment with veterinarians near by me.
After signing a waiver, allowing their veterinarian to take a blood sample from their dog or cat. They will do what is called A4 D X test.
Which detects heartworm proteins called antigens caused by female heartworm’s in the pets blood. This test can also detect ihrlichosis, anaplasmosis as well as Lyme disease.
Therefore, many different things can be tested for. Ultimately protecting the dog and cat against heartworm disease.
And while dogs and cats are the most common animals to get this. It is not unheard of for a dog or cat to pass heartworm disease onto their owner. If a mosquito bites the infected dog or cat. And then bites the owner.
And while it is very rare for humans to develop heartworm. Because the larva typically dies in the bloodstream before it reaches the humans heart or lungs.
In rare instances this still happens. Which is why it is very important for pets to be protected. So that everybody can be protected. Including other animals, humans. And to prevent making an army of mosquitoes already infected with dirofilaria.
Veterinarians Near By Me | Heartworm Disease
It is extremely important for pet owners to understand how preventable heartworm disease is according to veterinarians near by me.
Instances of dogs being diagnosed with heartworm is on the rise. According to a survey done by the tri-annual heartworm society.
And while it is most common in dogs. This is because dogs have larger hearts and lungs than cats. For the fully grown dirofilaria to crawl into and make a home.
Therefore it is less common for cats to develop heartworm according to veterinarians near by me. But not entirely unheard of. In addition to that, fewer cats are outdoor cats.
Making it less likely that indoor cats are ever going to encounter a mosquito. Who will infect them with dirofilaria larva.
However, people need to understand that if there pet has developed heartworm. There is treatment available. However, because the treatment is very difficult on a dog or a cat. Veterinarians near buying me will typically only do this treatment if there animal is already very healthy.
The treatment involves using medicine that contains arsenic. That might kill a dog or cat if they are already in poor physical condition.
What the treatment looks like for heartworm. Is the first injection will be an antibiotic called doxycycline. Which not only weakens the heartworm’s. It sterilizes them so they can no longer reproduce.
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Also, it kills bacteria called wolbachia, which is a bacteria that lives within heartworm’s themselves. When the heartworm’s die, wolbachia can cause infections in the animal.
Therefore, by killing the bacteria wolbachia. They can protect the animal from developing infections once there heartworm’s die.
After doxycycline injection, the animal must rest for 30 days. In order to let the antibiotic work. After 30 days, veterinarians near by me will inject the medicine that contains arsenic twice, 24 hours apart.
In healthy animals, it can kill the heartworm. And the animal can recover. Allowing them to live a long and healthy life.
However, since heartworm can live in dogs between 5 and 7 years. As well as cats between 2 into 3 years. Animals can live for a very long time with heartworm’s. Where they are growing in strength, and numbers.
Therefore the earlier that up pet owner can get heartworm detected in their pets. The better the prognosis is long-term for their dog or their cat.
If people are scared about their pet developing heartworm. They should talk to their veterinarian about what treatment is available. For them to give their animal on a monthly basis.
And by taking this preventative maintenance. Guarantees that people will never have to hear the words heartworm from their vet.
The sooner people can start treating their pet for heartworm. The sooner there animal is going to be protected from this devastating but completely preventable illness. Keeping their pets healthy for many years to come.