Veterinarians Near By Me | Heartworm is Fatal
Despite the fact that heartworm is incredibly preventable and treatable says veterinarians near by me. More animals than ever before are being diagnosed with this parasite. And also dying every year.
This does not have to be the case however. Because despite the fact that heartworm is fatal. It is also extremely preventable through the right medication.
When they first get there animal. They should get a checkup at a veterinarians near by me. In order to find out everything that they need to know about there animal.
They can talk to their veterinarian about what food they should feed their animal, how much exercise they need. As well as how often they need to come in and see the veterinarian.
But also, they can talk about preventable medicine as well. Such as for preventing heartworm disease. The medication that they can take is very inexpensive.
And depending on the size of the animal, can cost anywhere between 40 and $80 a year. To protect their animal from developing heartworm.
There are 2 different forms of this medication. One is a chewable medication. That comes in many flavoured that their pets would enjoy eating. Such as chicken, pork and beef.
However, not all animals will take a chewable medicine. Especially cats, who are notorious for refusing medicine orally. And some animals exhibit gastrointestinal distress such as vomiting and diarrhea after taking this medicine.
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For these animals, veterinarians near by. Say that there is a topical medication that they can utilize. By applying this directly to their pets for. It can provide the same protection as the chewable medicine.
With how easy it is to administer. As well as how inexpensive it is. As long as pet owners are aware that heartworm exists. And that there is preventable medicine for it.
They can avoid getting heartworm altogether, so that they never have to worry about what the symptoms are. Or what the treatment would be like.
Unfortunately, not everybody visits their veterinarian as often as they should. Or even have heard about heartworm. And because of this, they get infected and the pets get sick.
The first thing that pet owners need to know is that it will take several years after getting infected with heartworm. Before their pet starts exhibiting symptoms.
Heartworm is a parasite that latches on to the patients heart and lungs most commonly. And lives out their life, reproducing more larva as they age.
Therefore, there may be no symptoms at all. Until the number and size of the heartworm’s starts to impact that organs ability to do its job. In hearts, that means it can stop pumping blood.
And for lungs, it can make it difficult for the animal to breathe properly. Therefore, when pet owners only start noticing that there pets is becoming sick. It is often very difficult to treat. Because of how sick the animal is.
If pet owners do not get their pet into veterinarians near by me fast enough, there organs will fail, causing their pets death. Which is why preventative medicine is so important.
Veterinarians Near By Me | Heartworm is Fatal
The most tragic thing about heartworm according to veterinarians near by me. Is the fact that it is completely preventable and treatable. However, many animals die every year due to symptoms associated with this parasite.
The one and only way that pets can become infected with this parasite. Is by being bitten by an infected mosquito. A mosquito becomes infected with heartworm larva from birth.
As a mosquito bites an infected animal. The blood that they consume will contain the dirofilaria larva, commonly known as the heartworm.
As the mosquito lays her eggs, those eggs will be infected with dirofilaria. And as the mosquitoes hatch, and grow into mature mosquitoes. They will be born infected with this parasite already.
As the mosquitoes bite animals in order to suck their blood. The mosquito will pass along the dirofilaria to the uninfected animal. Where they will develop heartworm.
If it goes untreated, it will eventually cause organ failure. As the adult heartworm attach themselves to the various organs in an animal’s body.
An animal can live with heartworm’s for many years before showing signs. Which is why it is very important for pet owners to get their pet to veterinarians near by me for their annual checkup.
They will be able to do a blood test that looks for antigens in the animal’s blood. That are released by the adult female heartworm’s into the animal’s bloodstream. This is the test used on dogs. That can determine if the animal is infected.
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However, in cats, the test is looking for the anti-bodies that the cat’s body produces. In response to having a parasite living in their body. Either way, the blood test can be done on the spot. And give immediate results to pet owners.
Treatment for animals who have heartworm is most effective when they get diagnosed before they start exhibiting symptoms. Because they medicine that kills heartworm is also harsh on the animal’s body.
If there animal does test positive for heartworm. It is a lengthy treatment. Requiring veterinarians near by me to inject an antibiotic called doxycycline. Which will weaken the heartworms.
Not only will it weaken the heartworm, it will also sterilize them so that they are no longer able to reproduce while the pet is undergoing treatment.
And finally, the doxycycline will also kill a bacteria inside the heartworm called wolbachia. That can cause an infection in the animal, even after the heartworm’s die.
After a pet owner gets the injection of antibiotic in their pet. They must wait 30 days, in order for the doxycycline to take full effect.
After that 30 days, the veterinarian will administer to injections of a harsh arsenic based drug. That is designed to kill the heartworm. And they will inject them 24 hours apart.
Since this is a very harsh treatment. Prognosis is best if pet owner gets their pet treated before they exhibit symptoms. Because otherwise, heartworm can be fatal in their pet. Despite the fact that it is treatable and preventable.