What is Heartworm Disease?
If your dog has Heartworm Disease, they are a host to a live worm that embeds itself in the pulmonary artery, near the heart. These worms can grow up to 4 feet in length, take up to 6 months to fully grow, and can remain inside your dog for 5-7 years if not treated. Their presence damages the heart, lungs, and arteries and will result in death if left untreated. While dogs are the natural host for Heartworms, cats can also get the disease.
Is My Dog At Risk?
Heartworm Disease has been spreading across the US in recent years, and we’ve definitely seen our own local uptick in incidence here in West Sonoma County. The disease is spread through mosquito bites that transfer worm larvae from one victim to another. Wild animals such as wolves, coyotes, foxes, etc. can all harbor the disease, and act as hosts for mosquitoes to continually spread it . Regardless if your dog is indoor or outdoor, they are at risk of getting Heartworm Disease.
How Do I Know if My Dog Has Heartworms?
The early stages of the disease can show little or no symptoms and many animals don’t show any symptoms until the disease is in its advanced stages. Signs of Heartworm Disease may include a mild persistent cough, reluctance to exercise, fatigue after moderate activity, decreased appetite, and weight loss. If you are concerned about Heartworms in your dog, we recommend coming in to get a simple blood test to check if the disease is present. Call (707 433-6916) or make an appointment online.
Further Information
If you would like to read up more on Heartworm Disease, here are some useful links: