Increased Threat of Heartworm Disease in Dogs
Recent developments in the United States as well as San Pedro illustrate the importance of consistent heartworm prevention and testing in dogs. Heartworms are parasites transmitted by mosquitoes which infect their host’s hearts and blood vessels, eventually resulting in death.
In the United States veterinarians across the South and Midwest are reporting increased resistance to heartworm preventatives. Heartworm preventatives are medications given monthly which are designed to kill heartworm larvae before they infect the animal’s heart. Once considered to be about 99% effective, these medications now seem to be losing their battles against the parasite.
There are a number of different drugs that are used to prevent heartworm disease. Unfortunately, American veterinarians are reporting increased numbers of heartworm positive dogs regardless of the type of heartworm preventative used.
At San Pedro Animal Hospital we have euthanized 5 dogs this year due to advanced heartworm disease. All five were not on any heartworm preventative, or had been given it inconsistently.
Until the American Heartworm Association releases new recommendations to deal with the issue it is important to continue giving heartworm preventatives monthly. In addition, have your dog tested yearly for heartworm disease at his or her annual examination. When detected early, heartworm is still a treatable disease. Your pet could be infected even though they are not showing any symptoms.
San Pedro Animal Hospital will be keeping tabs on new research and developments in this area to keep our clients and the public up to date on this very important health threat to our pets.
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