Heart Worms and Your Pet
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- Advisor: Samson Vet
- Posted on: July 15th 2009
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Health and Medicine
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With spring on the way, we are right in heart worm detection season. Transmitted by mosquitoes, worms will develop during the following months in the pulmonary artery. They can be detected by a simple blood test. This is done just before prescribing preventive medication. The later must be given starting in May or June depending on the type used.
Dogs may develop exercise intolerance, heart failure and respiratory distress in the years after contamination. The disease is often deadly if the animal is not treated. It is thus important to make sure your pet is not a carrier of the disease, for himself and others around him.
Coyotes, wolves, foxes are a reservoir for the disease. Cats may also be affected. In humans the parasite just dies and becomes encysted; on X-Rays it can be mistaken for breast or lung cancer.
The earlier the parasite is detected in your pet, the safer the treatment will be. All dogs should be on preventive care during mosquito season, and pills prescribed for one season should all be administered.
An early diagnosis improves survival rate.
For information, call our animal health professionals.
Clinique veterinaire Samson
#K 241 boul. Samson
SAINTE-DOROTHEE QC H7X 3E4
450-969-4004