Heartworm?

Question

I have heard that it affects dogs and it comes from mosqitoes, but i have a few questions about it... first, is it actually a worm, or is that just the name of the disease (kind of like ringworm?) and also, can people and other animals get it as well? What are the chances that a dog with heart worm will die from it? (no i a do not have a dog with heartworm, i am just curious.)

Answer 1

yes they can die, yes it is a worm and no you can't get it. the worms get into the animals heart and lay eggs. If you give treatment too late all the worms will release and kill the animals anyway. You have to kill them slowly. Painful for the animals

Answer 2

As people already mentione it is a worm. There have been rare cases of people getting it (very very rare) and when they do it is usually identified as a calcified nodule on radiograph, so I wouldn't worry about catching it. Other animals can get it-lots of carnivores- such as cats and ferrets (they should be on heartworm preventative just like dogs). Racoons, skunks and even seals can get it as well. If a dog has heartworm and is not treated it will die. They can live for a very long time with the worms but problems develop due to obstructions interfereing with oxygen delivery. Also if the worms die, there is a massive release of anigent which can cause the dog to go into anaphylactic shock and die. The treatment for a heart worm positive dog is dangerous. the medication acutally contains arsenic. THere are a few injections given in the muscles along the back. The animal must be monitored for reactions to the drug, reactions to dying worms. And then cage rest for a long time to help reduce the risk of worm embolisms. I have seen dogs treated for heartworm without complications. There are treatments for cats or ferrets. Prevention of heartworm is much easier. It only requires giving a chewable tablet once a month.

Answer 3

Yes, heartworm is an actual worm. Its larvae are transmitted through mosquito bites. They collect in the heart of the dog and interfere with oxygen flow in the blood and when there enough of them with heart action itself. Left untreated, heartworm will kill the dog. Unfortunely, the treatment is almost as bad as the disease. I think that if my dog was diagnosed with heartworm now, I would not treat the dog, but let it go as long as it was comfortable, and put it down. Your vet can tell you more.