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American Veterinary Center
Happier & Healthier Pets |
30-
El Gezira EL Wosta Street
Zamalik , Cairo, Egypt. 11211
Tel .# 02 27376664
Mob.# 016 8877005 |
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Visit
Us Today
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 Heartworm
disease
Heartworm is a parasitic disease that can
affect any dog regardless of age, sex or habitat. It is found in
virtually all parts of the United States and many parts of Canada.
Heartworm is spread by mosquitoes, and tends to have a higher
incidence in areas heavily populated by mosquitoes. Dogs are
considered the most common host for heartworms, however heartworms
may also infect more than thirty species of animals (including
coyotes, foxes, wolves, domestic cats, ferrets) and even humans,
though transmission from animal to human (zoonotic infection) is
extremely rare.
What are
heartworms?
 Heartworms
are parasites that live in the blood of a dog’s heart and adjacent
blood vessels. They can grow from four to twelve inches in length,
reach maturation one year after infection and live for approximately
five to seven years. Adult heartworms living in the heart produce
offspring, known as microfilariae, which circulate in the animal’s
blood. When a female mosquito bites an infected animal, it sucks out
the blood containing the microfilariae. When the mosquito bites
another pet, the infected larvae are transmitted. In many cases the
infected dog will not show symptoms in the early stages.
Heartworm is the most serious common
parasite for dogs because it stresses the dog’s heart by restricting
blood flow and also damages other internal organs. The heart may
enlarge and become weakened due to an increased workload, and
congestive heart failure may occur. Left untreated, the disease can
be fatal to dogs.
Blood screening tests can verify the presence of heartworms.
Radiographs and x-rays are used to detect the disease in its later
stages. Prompt detection prevents needless suffering.
Heartworm treatment and
prevention
The good news is that most dogs with heartworm can be successfully
treated, usually with drugs (adulticide, microfilaricide) that kill
adult heartworms and their offspring. But prevention is the best
cure - it’s safer, less expensive, and better for your pet!
There are a variety of options for preventing heartworm infection,
including an injectable, monthly topicals and monthly chewable
tablets. Preventative medications are extremely effective and when
given properly, on a regular basis, can completely prevent your pet
from contracting heartworm. But remember, year-round heartworm
protection is as good as your diligence in remembering to give your
pet the prescribed medication, as directed by your veterinarian!
Canine heartworm symptoms include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Coughing
- Fatigue, a dog that tires easily
- Listlessness
- Weight loss
- Rough hair coat.
Ask your veterinarian
 Because
of the regional and climate-dependant nature of the heartworm cycle,
it is crucial to consult your veterinarian before giving any
medication to your pet. Your veterinarian is your best reference,
with expert knowledge of the heartworm cycle and transmission
patterns in your region, along with the individual health and
activity profile of your dog. Before starting a preventive program,
all dogs that could possibly be affected with mature heartworms
should be tested as preventive medicines may cause severe reactions
in dogs that are already hosts to adult heartworms. A dog that is on
a preventive medicine should be tested routinely to ensure on going
protection- especially when a dose has been missed or forgotten.
Can you
catch heartworm and other parasites
from your pet?
Mosquitoes transmit heartworm, not pets.
Humans are unnatural hosts for heartworm- therefore cases of
infection are rare. Many heartworm preventative medicines for pets
do eliminate other parasites such as hookworms, whipworms and
roundworms, which are more commonly seen in humans. Parasitic
infections that can be transmitted from animals to humans are known
as parasitic zoonoses :
1. Hookworms
In dogs, hookworm infection occurs through
ingestion or skin penetration of hookworm larvae found in the stools
or soil contaminated by feces of an infected animal. The larvae then
develop and migrate to the intestines where they hook onto the
intestinal wall and feast on the host’s blood. The larvae of
hookworms can penetrate the skin and infect humans through contact
with soil or sand contaminated by feces of host dogs or cats. In a
human host, the hookworm larvae do not migrate to the intestines and
become blood-sucking adults as they do in pets. Instead, they move
around under the skin and eventually die causing an inflammatory
skin reaction known as cutaneous larva migrans, or “creeping
eruptions.” It is important to keep your pet free of hookworms with
good hygiene, preventive medication and regular veterinary check
ups. Also, keep stray dogs and cats out of sandboxes and gardening
areas.
2. Roundworms
Roundworms are parasitic worms that are
round in shape, live in the dog’s intestines and consume partially
digested food. Unlike hookworms, they do not attach to the
intestinal wall, but literally swim in their food. Adult worms
resemble spaghetti and may come out in the feces or vomit of an
infected dog. Transmission to dogs is through eggs in feces, eating
a prey animal that is a host (usually rodents), mother’s milk, or in
utero. In dogs, roundworms cause diarrhea, vomiting and in extreme
cases pneumonia and intestinal obstruction. In humans, roundworms
can cause a serious condition known as visceral larva migrans. Most
victims are children who are infected when putting contaminated
fingers into their mouths. Once ingested, the roundworm larvae,
though not in its usual host, tries to complete its lifecycle. The
roundworm gets lost in the human body, usually in the eye, dies and
generates an inflammatory reaction that can cause blindness. Proper
hand washing can prevent infection.
Pet deworming of puppies and preventive medication will reduce
environmental contamination.
3. Whipworms
The only way a dog can contract whipworms
is by ingesting the eggs. When a dog walks on ground infected by
eggs, they are picked up on the paws and travel into the mouth when
he licks his paws or any contaminated toys or food bowls. Whipworm
eggs can survive extreme exterior conditions for months and even
years. Within one to three months after the eggs are swallowed they
hatch in the dog’s intestine, attach to the wall and begin to suck
blood and lay eggs. In dogs, whipworm can cause diarrhea, weight
loss and in some cases, anemia. Whipworm infection in humans is
extremely rare.
Be safe,
not sorry
Children are more prone to contracting
zoonotic parasites, as they tend to kiss and play more readily with
pets. Parasite larvae are shed in the pet’s feces and may
contaminate soil and sand. When children play in the contaminated
areas and place their fingers in their mouths this allows the eggs
to be ingested, causing infection. Hookworm larvae are capable of
infecting a host through penetration of the skin. Be sure to pick up
feces promptly and avoid eating while playing with your pet.
Frequent hand washing, as well as good general hygiene for people
and dogs, is recommended. Routine check ups by your veterinarian -
including a diagnostic test for worms and heartworm –as well as a
physical exam along with medical prevention, will not only keep your
dog healthy but will reduce any risk to you and your family.
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We understand that
your pet is a very special member of your family. |
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