Heartworm Disease

Heartworm is a disease many types of pets, including dogs, can get. It is serious and in some instances, fatal.  They get this ilness when a mosquito bites an infected animal then bites a dog. After a couple of weeks, they grow into larvae. Six months later, the larvae mature into adults. They can live for about five to seven years in a dog, and two to three in a cat. Its important to catch it early, because the numbers can multiply. Some symptoms are weight loss, fatigue after a medium walk, loss of appetite and a mild persistent cough. Its very important to test your dog for this disease and to give them prevention medication. Its important to try and prevent your pet from getting heartworm because the heart worms clog blood vessels which can cause organs to not work properly. This can also, sadly, lead to death. Dogs tested positive will have to stay off of too much exercise and activity and will be given medicine. Dogs who don’t have it should be tested, if tested and they don’t have it, then they should take heart worm prevention medication.