Page 8 - Stuart Exposure - April '21

Page 8, Stuart Exposure

tip of tHe tAil

Heartworm Disease through a simple blood test performed by a veterinarian. spontaneously clear the heartworms within a few years;
And Your Pets Once a diagnosis is made, additional testing may be other cats may progress to develop heart and lung disease.
indicated to determine the severity of disease and to
Heartworm prevention is recommended to prevent
determine if the dog can safely be treated for heartworms. infections in dogs and cats. There are several prescription
Treatment consists of multiple intramuscular injections of products available for heartworm prevention that also can
an organic arsenical medication. During treatment, which prevent certain intestinal parasites and in combination
is usually one to two months, dogs must be completely with other medications prevent or kill fleas. Ask your
rested to help ensure they do not experience complications. veterinarian which one they recommend.
Complications with treatment include pain at the injection Established in 1981, Palm City Animal Medical
site, blood clot formation, and lung inflammation. After Center is dedicated to providing the best possible care
treatment is completed, another blood test will need to be for your pets. With focuses on compassionate care in
performed to confirm successful treatment. Cats can be surgery, physical therapy and rehabilitation, preventative
much more difficult to diagnose with heartworm disease. medicine, extensive diagnostics, and emergency service,
While blood tests can be used to verify a heartworm Palm City Animal Medical Center combines exceptional
infection, additional testing, such as an echocardiogram, is medical care with a caring philosophy for pets and their
often needed to definitively diagnose heartworm disease. owners. For more information, call (772) 283-0920, visit
Additionally, there is no approved medication to treat www.palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com or find us on
Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially heartworms in cats. Cats with heartworm disease may Facebook at www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimalClinic.
life threatening disease. Heartworms, also known as
Dirofilaria immitis, are parasites that are transmitted
by mosquitoes, and may infect more than 30 species of
animals, including dogs and cats. Adult heartworms are
found primarily in the blood vessels around the heart and
lungs and in the heart. The number of adult heartworms in
infected animals can vary from a single heartworm to more
than a hundred heartworms. Though widely distributed
throughout the United States, the highest heartworm
infection rates are found in states along the Atlantic and
Gulf Coasts.
The life cycle of the heartworm is complex and consists
of five larval stages, L1 (microfilariae) to L5 (adult
heartworms). The life cycle begins when a mosquito bites
a heartworm-infected dog and ingests microfilariae. Inside
the mosquito, microfilariae develop to L2, then to L3. This
development usually takes a few weeks, and is dependent
on ambient temperature. The ambient temperature must
be at least 57 degrees Fahrenheit in order for L1 to L3
development to occur. When an animal is bitten by an
infected mosquito, L3 larvae are deposited into the
animal’s skin. During the next few months, heartworms
develop from L3 to L5. The adult heartworms then enter
the animal’s circulatory system, migrating to the heart and
surrounding blood vessels. Microfilariae are produced by
the adult heartworms approximately five to seven months
after entering the host animal.
Because heartworms live primarily in the blood vessels,
they can cause severe damage to the circulatory system.
This damage can lead to blood clot formation, lung
disease, and heart failure. In severe heartworm disease,
kidney and liver failure may also occur.
The symptoms of heartworm disease depend on the
number of adult heartworms present, the location of the
worms, and the length of time an animal has been infected
with heartworms. When first infected with heartworms,
animals will likely have no signs of infection. With
mild disease, the most common symptom is cough. As
heartworm disease progresses, additional symptoms can
be noted, including exercise intolerance, weakness, and
difficulty breathing. In severe cases, death may occur.
Dogs and cats differ greatly in diagnosis and treatment
for heartworms. In dogs, heartworm infection is diagnosed

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