Heartworm

[kimpossible]

I didn't know what section to put this in, so it's here!

On the front page of OurDogs this week the headline is "Heartworm confirmed in Scotland". I was totally oblivious to heartworm and believed that it was in only mainland europe, the states etc. I didn't know we got it in the UK.

According to the article, the parasite (which is carried by clugs and snails) is commonly found in southwest england but it could be moving north because of the increasing climate.

Signs are: Coughing, breathing difficulties, unexplained bleeding problems.

Vets in Glasgow treated a dog which hadn't been out of the glasgow area so it must've picked it up there.

Good news though, the dog can make a full recovery if the symptoms are picked up and a vet can treat it if it's picked up early.

[dieselsmummy]

Heartworm is a blood parasite that poses a serious health threat to dogs.

Heartworms are large roundworms that live in the right side of the heart and the blood vessels that supply the lungs, surviving on nutrients which they steal from the dog's bloodstream. They can grow to a length of 15-30 centimetres, and in severe cases a dog may be infested with hundreds of worms.

Damage to the heart, lungs and liver as well as obstruction of blood flow result from this infestation. Eventually, fluid may build up in the lungs and restrict the dog's breathing. When damage to the internal organs is severe enough, death may be the result.

Heartworms are spread by mosquitoes. When a mosquito bites an infected dog, it will ingest the immature worms (microfilariae) produced by the adults in the heart along with the blood from the dog. The immature worms develop in the mosquito over the next few weeks until they reach an infective stage. When the mosquito bites an uninfected dog, it will inject the immature worms into the tissues with it's saliva. From here, the immature worms develop further and migrate to the heart where they will mature into adults and begin reproducing. This cycle continues unchecked unless treatment is given. From this it is easy to see how one infected dog can infect a whole neighbourhood.

Symptoms
The signs of heartworm disease are usually detectable only after the disease has progressed and much damage has already been done to the internal organs. This damage may be irreversible. An advanced case may develop such signs as general listlessness, a chronic cough, laboured breathing, and weight loss. The animal may also tire easily during exercise and collapse due to heart failure.

Treatment
Treatment for heartworm disease is available. However, the methods are costly and are not without danger themselves. Treatment involves a series of' injections to kill the adult worms. During this time period the dog must be kept very quiet, as even minimal exercise may result in serious problems from the dead and dying worms. After the adult worms are destroyed, a treatment to kill the immature worms in the bloodstream must be given.

[kimpossible]

In the uk they are spread by dogs eating slugs and snails and grass that slugs and snails have crawled over and left a trail on recently. But it won't be long before we get mosquitos too!

[dieselsmummy]

Too true............

[Bunch]

Yes this is very serious indeed and therefore we must make sure that all our pooches are given a preventative treatment for this.

I use Stronghold selamectin for my three and aswell as a flea treament it also a preventative treatment for roundworm, heartworm, sarcoptic mange, biting lice and ear mites. This is £18.50 per month from my vets. xx

[dieselsmummy]

Yes I use Stronghold for Diesel as well xx

[Bunch]

Yes I use Stronghold for Diesel as well xx

I also worm them seperately too xxxx

[cocogal]

I use Heartgard Plus for Coco.

[kimpossible]

I'll need to see what I can buy. This is the first case of it in Scotland so mine have never had anything for it.

[dieselsmummy]

I am sure your vet will be able to advise you hun xxx Let us know what they say xx

[Bunch]

I am sure your vet will be able to advise you hun xxx Let us know what they say xx

Advocet is another that is for every worm possible as well as fleas but I know that my vet does not sell it xxxxxxx