Heartworm, a worm that can live in a dog’s heart, blood vessels, and lungs, may not appear to be a serious risk to your pet. In the United States, however, it affects about 1 in 100 dogs. S. every year.
According to veterinarian Wendy Mandese, DVM, clinical assistant professor at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, “they look like spaghetti in the heart and blood vessels.” Pulmonary hypertension, or high blood pressure in the arteries supplying blood to your lungs, and heart failure are two conditions that may develop if you have enough worms in your body.
That means that regardless of your dog’s age, breed, or where you live in the country, protecting your dog from this parasite is more crucial than you may have realized. However, there are still many misconceptions about heartworm that could cause otherwise responsible dog owners to disregard this aspect of their pet’s health.
Does my puppy need a prescription for heartworm prevention?
Yes. Heartworm prevention medication must have a prescription to be purchased. The regular vet of your puppy will be able to help you get a prescription. Additionally, he or she will be able to assist you in selecting the best heartworm prevention for your pet.
Why Is Missing a Dose of Puppy Heartworm Prevention Such an Issue?
Knowing when the heartworm medication kills heartworms in the heartworm life cycle is crucial.
You might believe that it prevents your puppy from ever contracting heartworms. However, medications that prevent heartworms (like ivermectin, milbemycin, moxidectin, and selamectin) can only eradicate the heartworms’ later larval stages.
As a result, by administering heartworm prevention to your puppy, you are essentially deworming them of any heartworm larvae they may have acquired within the previous 30 days.
Giving a dose one or two weeks late or skipping a dose could result in those larvae developing into adults that the puppy heartworm prevention cannot kill.
If this occurs, call your veterinarian right away because if you wait and your puppy develops heartworm disease, it could have detrimental effects.
Myth 2: Indoor Pets Are Not at Risk for Heartworms
Don’t assume that your pet is safe just because she prefers to stay inside and rarely goes outside. Heartworm disease can be easily spread inside the home by disease-carrying mosquitoes.
Approximately 25% of cats with heartworm disease are regarded as indoor cats, according to Dr Hatton.
Remember that even if your spoiled dog only goes outside for short walks or bathroom breaks, it only takes one bite from an infected mosquito to infect a pet, warns Dr. Rehm.
FAQ
Can puppies get heartworms?
Can puppies get heartworms? Yes. When an infected mosquito bites a puppy, the puppy is likely to contract heartworms. Once infected, heartworm larvae take about six months to mature into adult heartworms.
How early can a puppy get heartworm?
According to the American Heartworm Society, puppies as young as 6 to 8 weeks old should begin taking monthly heartworm prevention medication. They must begin prevention as soon as possible because they are just as susceptible to contracting the disease as older dogs.
What happens if a puppy gets heartworms?
The adult worms irritate blood vessels and can obstruct blood flow, which can result in heart failure and pulmonary thrombosis (clots in the lungs). Keep in mind that heartworms are “foot-long” parasites with potentially serious consequences. Heartworm disease can also lead to liver or kidney failure.
Where do puppies get heartworm?
Dogs contract heartworms from mosquito bites, and the larvae take about six to seven months to mature into adult heartworms. They reproduce, produce offspring known as microfilariae that live in the dog’s blood vessels, and reside in the dog’s heart.