Ask The Vet RadioShow Notes

Show #: 06-108

Show Description: “Heartworm Prevention and Treatment ”

Audio Files: ATVR-06-108.mp3, ATVR-06-108.wma

This week’s Ask The Vet Radio featured information on heartworm prevention and treatment.  Dr. Susan E. Little, DVM, from the Center for Veterinary Sciences at Oklahoma State University joined Dr. Tracy Dewhirst in taking calls and providing details regarding the potentially fatal heartworm disease and the preventions pet owners should take. 

Show Notes and Resources:

  • Dr. Tracy Dewhirst provided listeners with a broad range of information regarding heartworm disease as well as answered a number of questions from callers regarding this issue.  Dr. Dewhirst explained to listeners that heartworm is a round worm that lives in the right side of the heart of dogs, and can also dwell in the pulmonary arteries of dogs and cats.  Once heartworms are contracted, the disease can further lead to hypertension, kidney failure, heart failure, increased blood pressure, etc.  The disease though very serious and potentially fatal, can be easily avoided by regular preventatives.

    Dr. Dewhirst on What You Need to Know about Heartworms

    • How is it spread?  Heartworm is spread by mosquitoes and is transmitted very easily from one animal to another by being bitten by insects infected with the disease.  Animals cannot contract the disease from other animals directly.
    • What animals are susceptible? Dogs are by far the most susceptible to the disease, however cats can also develop it too if bitten by an infected mosquito.  Animals like ferrets also contract heartworms.  Human accounts are rare and extremely different from the disease a pet contracts.  The primary host for this disease is the body of a dog, especially if the dog is not on a regular preventative.
    • Preventatives:  All dogs and cats should be on regular heartworm preventative, regardless of whether the animal is an indoor or outdoor pet.  Indoor animals can still acquire the disease.  There are different types of preventatives that make the medication easier to administer.  Preventatives come in the form of a treat, tablet, and topical applications.  Also, you need to make sure that your pet also receives an annual heartworm test just to ensure that the medicine is effective!  If you have a new adopted pet, get them on the preventatives and get a heartworm test, but also make sure to retest within 7-8 months because it may take this long for it to be detected.  Do not use repellent as your only form of preventative for heartworm disease.  If you miss a month, give the preventative as soon as possible, the medication will still be in your animal’s system.  However, if you have missed 3 months, give your pet the preventative as soon as possible and get the animal tested in 7-8 months to make sure they have not contracted the disease.
    • What are the symptoms?  Symptoms are very silent, and are usually physically unnoticeable until the disease has caused a severe amount of damage.  Symptoms can include coughing, respiratory problems, and loss of consciousness.  These are severe symptoms and may not surface for a couple of years.  Get your pet tested annually!
    • What happens if my pet gets heartworm? A listener called in to share his experience with his dog that contracted the disease while not on preventatives.  He wanted other listeners to know that though there are treatments for your pet once they contract heartworms, these treatments can be painful for the animal and a definite financial burden on you.  The disease is highly stressful for the animal and its’ owner because once your pet is diagnosed and started on treatment, the animal must be kept quiet and contained for 30 days.  Part of the treatment requires keeping your pet’s heart rate from elevating, which usually means confining them to a cage to prevent the possibility of stroke.   
    • For more info on heartworm disease: Go to www.heartwormsociety.org
  • Oklahoma State University Professor and Krull-Ewing Endowed Chair in Veterinary Parasitology Dr. Susan E. Little, DVM joined the show to answer listeners’ more in-depth questions regarding heartworms.  Dr. Little informs pet owners that no particular breed is more susceptible, and all dogs not on preventative are in danger of acquiring the disease.  Cats also are susceptible, but the disease is harder to detect in cats because they are smaller. Dr. Little also explains that an antigen test will be the primary test to see how far the disease has spread, then radiograph and echo tests will follow to find out further information on your pet’s condition once diagnosed with heartworms.
  • Question of the Week: What has your pet ever done to embarrass you? Send your answers in to drtracydewhirst@askthevetradio.com.  One lucky pet owner will be picked to have their answer read on air next Sunday and receive a special goody bag from the Ask The Vet Radio team!