Heartworms in Dogs

Heartworm is an infection common to dogs and other mammals. Heartworm is caused by the parasite Dirofilaria immitis. The heartworm parasite is transmitted from one hose to another through mosquito bites. When a mosquito bites a dog infected with heartworm, it extracts the heartworm larvae that are in the blood of the host. When the mosquito bites into its next victim, the heartworm larvae are transferred.

This parasite is known as heartworm because the adult worms invade the victim’s heart and can cause congestive heart failure, which could lead to death. This is very serious that heartworm treatment must be started immediately to prevent severe damage to the dog’s vital organs.

The first step in heartworm treatment is the identification of the parasite. Heartworm diagnosis is done by extracting a blood sample from the dog and analyzing this for presence of antibodies to heartworm. Antibodies are substances in the body’s defense system that fights the antigens of the invading organisms. There are also tests done to detect heartworm antigens. If heartworm is present, it is necessary to identify the heartworm form present before proceeding to heartworm treatment.

Identification of the stage of growth of the heartworm is important since different forms of the parasite have different heartworm treatments. If adult worms are detected, the next step in the heartworm treatment is to eliminate them. The adult heartworms may be killed by the use of an arsenic-based compound. The more commonly used drug for adult heartworms is melarsomine dihydrochloride, known as the brand Immiticide. This is more effective and safer than older adult heartworm treatments.

Heartworm treatment may also include surgical removal of the heartworms, especially if the worms have already infected the right atrium of the heart.

Once the adult forms are eradicated, the next step in heartworm treatment is to eradicate the larval forms, which will grow into adults. This heartworm treatment is done though the administration of the drug Ivermectin. Ivermectin for dogs is known by the brand name Heartgard.

This heartworm treatment should continue for twelve months with the drug being administered every thirty days. To ensure maximum effectiveness of the heartworm treatment, you have to make sure that the dog gets the required doses and that the doses are administered on time.

Another thing to remember when, and even before, your dog undergoes heartworm treatment, make sure that your dog is healthy. The heartworm treatment may increase the stress to the dog’s vital organs. After the heartworm treatment, allow the dog to rest to help its body in eliminating the heartworms.

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