What are the symptoms, will they die from it?
2007-06-11 02:47:58 · 12 answers · asked by Ms Ghost 6 in Pets ➔ Dogs
As many as 30 species of mosquitoes can transmit heartworms. The female mosquito bites the infected dog and ingests the microfilariae during a blood meal. The microfilariae develop further for 10 to 30 days in the mosquito and then enter the mouthparts of the mosquito. The microfilariae are now called infective larvae because at this stage of development, they will grow to adulthood when they enter a dog. The mosquito usually bites the dog where the hair coat is thinnest. However, having long hair does not prevent a dog from getting heartworms.
When fully developed, the infective larvae enter the bloodstream and move to the heart and adjacent vessels where they grow to maturity in two to three months and start reproducing, thereby completing the full life cycle
The most obvious signs are a soft, dry cough, shortness of breath, weakness, nervousness, listlessness, and loss of stamina. All of these signs are most noticeable following exercise, when some dogs may even faint.
If the dog is not treated, they can die from having been infected with heartworms. A simple bloodtest will tell you if your dog has been infected with heartworms. If the test comes out positive, your vet will discuss with you the treatment options available. There is also risks involved with the heartworm treatments.
You should keep your dog on a heartworm preventative year round as well as have them tested every year.
2007-06-11 02:55:38 · answer #1 · answered by bluemysti 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
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2016-05-18 23:27:31 · answer #2 · answered by Luella 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Heart worm is transmitted by mosquitoes. There are often no symptoms until the problem is pretty far advanced, but a dog with heartworm will sometimes be short of breath and less energetic than usual, and will cough.
It's fatal if it isn't treated. As the worms mature they clog the heart and prevent the blood from circulating. Once the dog is infected the treatment is pretty arduous; your best bet is to prevent heartworm in the first place by giving a medication every month. There are several different medications, and some breeds of dog are sensitive to the ingredient in one of them, so ask your vet.
2007-06-11 03:03:12 · answer #3 · answered by Katharine M 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If a dog is treated successfully and the infestation isn't too terribly severe the dog can recover to live a normal healthy life. In severe untreated infections there can be some damage to the heart. A vet would have to make the assessment if it would at all affect the dog though. With good care, the dog can still live a long happy life. Heart worms from an infected dog can not be passed to humans.
2016-05-17 07:44:17 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dogs get heartworm when they are bitten by an infected mosquito. The larve travels to the heart where they multiply. If left untreated they will take over the whole heart until the dog dies. Treatment is possible but it is very aggressive and could kill the dog. In the case of heartworms the old saying applies that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure".
2007-06-11 02:54:28 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
YES! Heartworms WILL kill your dog!
Heartworms come from an infected mosquito which bites your dog or CAT; yes, cats get heartworms also, but it is rare. A cat will not have symptoms. They will just drop dead -- literally.
A dog will have symptoms. For example, a dog will foam at the mouth when exerting themselves, and won't have much stamina, and will be lethargic.
It can be treated, BUT, the best medicine, of course, is prevention. Each spring, your vet can perform a simple blood test to determine if your dog does or does not have heartworms. If no, you should give your dog a once-per-month prevention. My dogs take Heartguard. It should be administered once per month until the first hard frost. Heartguard also eliminates ascarid and hookworms.
Cats should receive Revolution once per month. It is a liquid applied to the nap of their neck. It protects them from heartworms as well as fleas, hookworms, roundworms, and ear mites.
Don't forget Advantix or Frontline for your dogs.
2007-06-11 03:31:56 · answer #6 · answered by p51575j 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it is caused by mosquito larvae.
the only way to know is take to the vets and have a blood sample done and then get heart worm preventative.
they will die if they have and not treated the worms attach to the heart and eat the heart.
so go to the vet and have the dog checked.
2007-06-11 02:57:21 · answer #7 · answered by Kit_kat 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
By being bitten by a mosquito that has also bitten an infected animal.
Often there are no symptoms until the problem has become critical. This is why dogs need to have a test to diagnose it.
Yes it can become fatal.
2007-06-11 02:56:55 · answer #8 · answered by tom l 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
From mosquito bites, no real symptoms until they are so bad the dogs heart is eaten up with them and it has to be put to sleep.
2007-06-11 02:51:38 · answer #9 · answered by lilabner 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Mosquito's! Have your vet test the dog. If you put the animal on a preventative medication,and it's already infected,it will kill the dog! Good luck! ;-)=
2007-06-11 02:56:52 · answer #10 · answered by Jcontrols 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋