Home » News Articles » 10 Facts And Myths About Heartworm Infection In Dogs That Pet Owners Must Know
Cute Puppy

10 Facts And Myths About Heartworm Infection In Dogs That Pet Owners Must Know

Are you confused between the facts and myths about heartworm infection in dogs? We have created a series of facts and myths that can dispel a lot of your confusion and might even provide you with a few solutions. If you want, you can test your knowledge by answering the questions before reading the answers.

Statements #1: Heartworms can be transmitted by a single bite from a mosquito.

It is a fact. Mosquitoes are carriers of heartworm larvae, which they pick up from the soil or infected animals. When the carrier mosquito bites a dog, it injects the larvae into its bloodstream. The larvae can take up to six months to reach the dog’s lungs or heart and start multiplying there. If a heartworm infection is not detected and checked on time, it can leave permanent damages to the internal organs of the dog.

Statement #2: Since the disease gets transmitted through mosquitoes, only pet owners in warmer climates need to worry about it.

It is a myth. There has been evidence that mosquitoes and heartworm infection can be found all over America. There have been cases of heartworm infection found in States with colder weather as much as the southern states.

Statement #3: Both dogs and cats can get heartworms.

It is a fact. Heartworms can infect many types of animals, including dogs, cats, and ferrets. However, dogs are the most natural hosts for heartworms, which increases the chances of infection. That is why only dogs can get a heartworm treatment that has been approved by the FDA. If a cat or a ferret gets infected with heartworms, there is no treatment for them.

Statement #4: There is no way to prevent heartworm infection.

It is a myth. There are several medications available in the market that can prevent heartworm infection. The preventive medications come in the form of heart guard pills for dogs that are flavored so that owners can feed them to their dogs like a treat.

Statement #5: Preventive medicines are mildly poisonous because they kill the heartworms.

It is a myth. Heartworm preventive medicines are not poisonous. However, one of the drugs that get administered to cure the disease is a regulated poison. Preventive medicines can not kill adult heartworms. They allow the dog’s immune system to eliminate heartworm larvae.

The larvae produce a protein that can shield them from the dog’s immune system and allows them to float around in its bloodstream. The medication prevents the production of this protein so that the dog’s immune system can detect and eliminate the heartworm larvae.

Statement #6: There is no cure for the disease in dogs.

It is a myth. There is an FDA approved cure available for dogs with heartworms disease. However, the administration of the cure is a lengthy and painful process that creates a lot of strain on the dog’s body. Therefore the treatment might not be feasible for all dogs, especially if there are health problems.

Statement #7: Prevention of heartworms is easier and cheaper than cure.

It is a fact. Even though preventive medicines need to be fed to the dogs every month, they still cost a lot less than heartworm treatment. The combined cost of heartworm treatment and associated tests can reach more than a thousand dollars.

Moreover, the effects of the disease stay with the dog throughout its life because the damages caused to the internal organs are irreversible. So there could be added medical complications at a later stage in life.

Statement #8: Symptoms of the disease, such as coughing, letter lethargy, and breathing troubles show up immediately.

It is a myth. As we mentioned before, the larvae can take up to six months to travel to the lungs or heart of the dog through its bloodstream. The symptoms start to show up when the larvae form into adult heartworms. They might include but are not limited to coughing, lethargy, and troubled breathing.

Statement #9: If one dog has heartworm, then all the animals in the household will also get it.

It is a myth. Heartworm disease is not contagious. The only way it can spread is through mosquito bites. Therefore if an animal in the household has heartworms, the owner must take adequate precautions to ensure that there are no mosquitoes around the infected animal. The pet parent must also start feeding preventive medicine to the infected dog so that the larvae get eliminated.

Statement #10: If owners miss a dose of preventive medicine, they can double the dose the following month.

It is a myth. If the pet owner missed a dose for one month, they should immediately contact the vet. The vet would advise the course of action and may suggest check-ups every six months. In fact, even if a dog is taking preventive medicine every month, vets still advise annual check-ups for heartworms.

So how many of these did you know about already?


Sponsored Articles


Do you have a news tip? Call us at (661) 298-1220, or send an email to newstip@hometownstation.com. Don’t miss a thing. Get breaking KHTS Santa Clarita News Alerts delivered right to your inbox. Report a typo or error, email Corrections@hometownstation.com

KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

KHTS AM 1220 & FM 98.1 - Santa Clarita Radio - Santa Clarita News

10 Facts And Myths About Heartworm Infection In Dogs That Pet Owners Must Know

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

About KHTS Articles