canine heartworm disease

Edith Pope · Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 2:09 pm Post subject: canine heartworm disease

Just curious. What are the signs of heartworm disease in dogs? I have a cuddly Shih Tzu whom I love so much and I don't want him to get afflicted with any disease, including this one.

Beatrice Dixon · Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 3:23 pm Post subject:

i learned this from my girl friend Jessica who's also a huge dog lover herself, some signs of heartworm disease in dogs are loss of appetite and coughing.

Angela Gellis · Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 4:17 pm Post subject:

Beatrice is right. Aside from what she cited, coughing and difficulty breathing are also signs of canine heartworm disease.

Jennifer Trenton · Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 9:24 am Post subject:

you could also look out for nosebleeds, shortness of breath, and intolerance to exercise.

Amelia Bowman · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 10:30 am Post subject:

You may also notice that a dog seems to tire rapidly after moderate exercise.

Joseph Niska · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 10:39 am Post subject:

Heartworms are really deadly. You should have your dogs checked once in a while. It is treatable, but preventing it is still the better option.

Liz Munro · Flea egg Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 74

the good news is heartworm disease is almost 100% preventable in dogs. Very Happy

pet owners can choose among the many heartworm preventives available in a variety of formulations. vets can suggest the best method of heartworm disease prevention.

Petmeister · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 1:30 pm Post subject:

A great rule of thumb is when you notice something's not right or different with your dog, rush him to the doctor.

Terrence Watson · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 3:25 pm Post subject:

have you guys seen a dog's heart heavily infested with heartworms?

here's a very scary but good example.

http://www.greatlakesbcrescue.org/HealthNTraining/heartworms.JPG

see? so we should really give our dogs extra care with regards to these heartworms.

Simon Dobson · Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 8:11 am Post subject:

i've checked the foto, terrence. that's.... i feel like the worms are crawling all over me! Laughing

Douglas Barr · Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 1:08 pm Post subject:

Heartworms can be fatal so we should really be careful when it comes to these parasites! Shocked

I agree with Joseph; prevention of heartworm disease should be one of our priorities when it comes to our pets.

Joseph Niska · Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 8:41 am Post subject:

Hey, Douglas, I just want to say, Thanks dude! It's been a while since somebody last agreed with me. LOL!

I looked up heartworm in a veterinary book. It says there that dogs and cats get different reactions from these parasites. And that it's harder to treat a cat with heartworms.

Is there anybody here who was able to treat their dog or cat's heartworm disease? If yes, how did you do it?

Douglas Barr · Posted: Wed May 14, 2008 10:07 am Post subject:

No prob, Joseph! Wink

Anyway, we are all kindred souls here in Petshed. "Petshedders" may not always agree but I am very very sure that we all agree in one respect:

WE ALL LOVE OUR PETS! Very Happy

Eleni Gordon · Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 12:53 pm Post subject:

the thing about heartworms is that they're not easily detected. your dog may actually go for months without displaying any symptom of heartworm. that's why it's necessary for pet owners to have their dog checked for heartworms regularly.

Gina Cavendish · Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 1:52 pm Post subject:

is there a season for heartworms? or do pets get them all-year 'round?

Pauline Weiss · Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 3:49 pm Post subject:

heartworms are prevalent during warm season. usually, that's spring to early fall. in the US, heartworms are more commonplace in southeastern and midwestern states.

Eleni Gordon · Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 8:37 am Post subject:

it's also important to keep in mind that all dogs, no matter what size or breed, are prone to heartworm. so don't be so complacent.

Liz Munro · Flea egg Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 74

just want to add to what pauline said... from a journal i read, heartworms are said to be most prevalent in the Mississipi River Valley and along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts.

Irvin Zelasko · Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 10:41 am Post subject:

Bottom line is: we should all be careful of heartworms no matter where we are Exclamation

Gina Cavendish · Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 10:44 am Post subject:

Liz Munro · Flea egg Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 74

Amelia Bowman · Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 2:33 pm Post subject:

exactly.

i read a blog here that explains how heartworms can be everywhere, like how they spread from state to state:
http://www.petshed.com/blog/2008/05/23/travel-with-your-dog-the-heartworm-free-way-5-pointers-to-prevent-canine-heartworm-disease/
check it out, its a helpful read!

Eleni Gordon · Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 9:30 am Post subject:

mosquitoes are not the only ones that can spread heartworms, although they are probably the most ideal and common host. i think i've read somewhere that other insects can also be carriers of heartworms.

Jennifer Trenton · Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 3:03 pm Post subject:

Amelia Bowman · Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 4:39 pm Post subject:

exactly, jennifer. we shouldn't depend alone on the level of risk present in a certain area. heartworms can be everywhere!