Paws 4 A Cause - Issue 4b

In November of last year, mother and son duo Lourdes and Eric Spencer started a bi-weekly newsletter called Paws 4 A Cause, with the goal of helping to bring about a time when there are no unwanted, unloved or abandoned animals. Their purpose is to easily bring together pets with families. iList Paducah wants to help them. Look for excerpts here from their newsletter each week - including advice, training tips and adoption information!

Big or small, their hearts are in your hands!

Heartworm Disease Facts

• Canine heartworm disease develops when a dog is bitten by a mosquito carrying microscopic heartworm larvae [juvenile worms) of a parasite called Dirofilaria immitis.
• Clinical signs of heartworm disease may not be recognized in the early stages, as heartworms tend to accumulate gradually over a period of months and sometimes years after repeated mosquito bites. Recently infected dogs may exhibit no signs of the disease.
• Heavily infected dogs may eventually show clinical signs which include persistent cough, reluctance to move or exercise, tiredness after only moderate exercise, reduced appetite, and weight loss.
• Very active or working dogs can show the above clinical signs of disease with only a few worms present.
• Severe cases of the disease may lead to heart and lung failure, most often recognized by a “swollen belly” caused by accumulation of fluid in the abdomen.
• “Caval Syndrome,” a form of liver failure, is also a potential serious complication, causing dogs to become weak very rapidly and turning their urine dark brown. This is a life-threatening situation that prompts surgical removal of the worms.

Heartworm Prevention Tips

• Heartworm can be diagnosed with a simple blood test.
• Treatment for heartworm disease is expensive, lengthy, and traumatic.
• There are a variety of options for preventing heartworm infection in dogs, including monthly tablets and chewables and monthly topicals.
• All of these methods are extremely effective, and when administered properly on a timely schedule, heartworm infection can be completely prevented.
• Puppies should be started on heartworm prevention at 8 weeks old following a physical exam.
• Testing begins at 6 months of age
• Annual retesting is strongly recommended by veterinarians.
• Heartworm preventative is only available by prescription from a licensed veterinarian.
• In dogs over 6 months old, a negative heartworm test and physical exam are required for preventatives to be prescribed.
• Pet owners should discuss the proper product selection for their pet and dose timing with their veterinarian.

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