(970)856-4474
Surface Creek Veterinary Center
  • Home
  • What Pet Owners Are Saying
  • Meet the Team
  • Services
  • Blog
  • Laser Information
  • Therapy Laser
  • Farm Page
  • Dental Information
  • Laboratory Information
  • Hospital tour
  • X-ray Information
  • Microchipping
  • Resources
  • Map

Heartworm Disease

5/27/2012

1 Comment

 
Heartworms are a parasite that reside in the heart of mammals.  Dogs are the most frequent hosts, although cats and occasionally other species can become infected.  Heartworm larvae are transmitted from an infected animal to a susceptible animal by mosquitoes.  The larvae take several months to grow and move from the site of the bite to taking up residence in the heart.  We have autopsied dogs with heartworm, and it really looks like spaghetti when the heart is opened up.  Not a pretty site, and obviously fatal for the dog.  There is a treatment available to be used on dogs and cats already infected with the disease, but it is currently in tight supply and is doled out case by case by the manufacturer.  The easiest way to keep your pet safe from this disease is monthly prevention with an approved product.  There are several products on the market, most with an active ingredient of Ivermectin.  In Collies or collie type breeds, a different active ingredient is recommended due to occasional sensitivities to Ivermectins.  Monthly prevention is easy- a small chewable tablet once a month- and is effective at preventing this serious and debilitating disease.  Testing for heartworm is recommended prior to starting the preventative, as giving the medication to a dog already infected can have serious side effects.
1 Comment

    Archives

    October 2015
    November 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    March 2014
    October 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    April 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    November 2012
    October 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    May 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    November 2011

    Categories

    All
    Allergies
    Amputation
    Anesthesia
    Arthritis
    Bloodwork
    Caseous Lymphadenitis
    Cats
    Cattle
    Circovirus
    Declawing
    Dental Disease
    Dog Jog
    Dogs
    Endocrine Disorders
    Flower
    Goats
    Heart
    Heartworm Disease
    Holidays
    Hyperthyroidism
    Injection Site Sarcoma
    Kidney
    Laser
    Liver
    Obesity
    Pancreatitis
    Pregnancy
    Puppy
    Rabies
    Sea Lions
    Soft Tissue Sarcoma
    Teeth
    Vaccination
    Weight Issues

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.