Most dog owners know from painful experience that worms are among the most annoying endoparasites in dogs.
Worms do not always nest in the dog’s intestines. They can also affect the heart.
Which Symptoms a dog shows of heartworm has? We will tell you in the following guide – together with the possible treatment methods.
Heartworm symptoms in dogs: what are the typical signs?
Typical symptoms of heartworm in dogs that you can use to recognize them include: Upper and lower respiratory problems.
These manifest themselves both in the form of coughing and breathing problems, such as shortness of breath.
An infestation with heartworms in dogs is also reflected in circulatory problems that can go as far as a collapse.
Heart and lung sounds are also typical signs that your dog has heartworms.
Now let’s look at why these and other signs of heartworm in dogs occur.
heart and lung sounds
A heartworm does not have its name for nothing – its larvae primarily attack the heart of the dog and only get into the dog’s organism via mosquitoes.
From there they spread through the heart vessels to the lungs of the dog. This results in heart and lung murmurs.
You can use these to identify a possible heartworm infestation in your dog.
However, heart disease or pneumonia can also hide behind these noises!
Already knew?
An adult heartworm can grow up to 30 centimeters long. It is also not to be confused with lungworm, also known as French heartworm.
breathing problems
If the heartworm has moved towards the lungs, these are of course also affected by this parasite.
The heartworms also cause damage here and can cause serious respiratory problems in the dog.
A first sign of this is a cough, which often indicates a disease of the bronchi and/or lungs.
Shortness of breath is also an accompanying symptom. You can tell this by the dog breathing shallowly and intermittently.
The chest rises and falls extremely quickly, sometimes the dog’s tongue, which is usually very pale, hangs out of its mouth.
IMPORTANT
Please go to the vet immediately, these symptoms can indicate a life-threatening condition!
Circulatory problems & collapse
The dog’s circulation stands – and falls – with the oxygen supply of the blood. This is ensured by the pumping of the heart.
If a dog is now infested with heartworms, the cardiac output no longer works properly.
The blood is no longer sufficiently pumped through the arteries into the body, resulting in dizziness and circulatory problems – up to and including complete circulatory collapse.
Energy Loss & Performance Degradation
Once the heart is disturbed in its normal function, there is also a loss of energy in the affected dog.
As a result, this person is significantly less motivated to move, and a reduction in performance and a low level of activity are then recognizable.
weight loss
Although heartworms do not settle in the dog’s intestines, they can still contribute to weight loss in the furry friend.
This occurs because the dog loses its appetite. This means that decreased food intake and weight loss are signs of heartworm in dogs.
When should I see the vet and what are the treatment options for heartworm in dogs?
Clearly: go to the vet as soon as possible or immediately!
None of the symptoms mentioned are easy to pass – all require immediate clarification by a specialist.
diagnosis
Heartworm diagnosis is the first step in getting the right treatment for your dog. It is carried out using the so-called Knott test.
Blood is taken from the dog and a blood smear is then examined under a microscope.
Blood is usually taken in the evening.
Because at this time of day, the so-called microfilariae – heartworms in the first larval stage – can be found particularly close under the skin.
Treatment
If the dog is diagnosed with heartworm, the treatment that follows depends on the severity of the heartworm infestation.
A mild infestation can be treated with medication.
These drugs are usually an adjunctive part of therapy based on an antiparasitic agent.
This is intended to kill both the larvae of the heartworm and the adult parasites.
This carries the risk of blockage of the heart vessels.
In some cases, high numbers of dead larvae can trigger anaphylactic shock.
In the case of a stronger infestation, surgical removal of the parasites may be necessary.
This is arguably one of the riskiest surgeries a dog can or must undergo.
prevention
You can prevent heartworms in dogs – primarily with a spot-on.
There are some means of worm prevention that also prevent heartworm infestation.
One such remedy is Bravecto for dogs with the active ingredient moxidectin.
Prevention is even more effective if you don’t take your dog to a heartworm risk area in the first place.
We hope your dog hasn’t had heartworm yet – and we’re always happy to read your story in our comments soon.