| * Canine heartworm infection occurs all across the | | | | century ago in dogs, and was discovered in cats |
| United States. Heartworm infection has been | | | | in the 1920's. Since then scientists have devised |
| found in pet and wild dogs in all 50 states, each of | | | | diagnostic tests, preventives and treatments, but |
| which have there own areas where the disease is | | | | the disease still spreads.When you are are visiting |
| an ongoing problem (these are known as | | | | your local vet, you may notice posters which |
| "endemic" areas).* All dogs regardless of their | | | | show the infested heart loaded with long fine |
| age, sex, or habitat are susceptible to heartworm | | | | spaghetti like worms, this is too remind pet |
| infection. The highest infection rates (up to 45%) | | | | owners not to gamble that their dog or cat will |
| in dogs not maintained on heartworm preventive | | | | never be bitten by an infected mosquito. |
| are seen within 150 miles of the Atlantic coast | | | | Heartworm prevention is simple with regular |
| from Texas to New Jersey and along the | | | | dosing with preventive medication. If the pet has |
| Mississippi River and its major tributaries. Other | | | | heartworm infestation this is dangerous; untreated |
| areas of the United States have lower incidence | | | | dogs die and treated dogs go through weeks of |
| rates (5% or less) of canine heartworm disease, | | | | discomfort while the worms are killed and expelled |
| though even in those states some local regions | | | | from their bodies. TestingHeartworms can be |
| have environmental, mosquito, and dog population | | | | detected by blood test. X-rays can also detect |
| factors that allow a higher incidence of | | | | the changes in the heart and lungs caused by the |
| heartworm infection.* Badly affected regions have | | | | presence of adult heartworms in these |
| heartworm infections diagnosed in dogs as young | | | | organs.PreventionPreventive doses come in oral |
| as 1 year, with most areas diagnosing infections | | | | and topical versions, products like Heartguard, |
| primarily between the ages of 3 and 8 years of | | | | Interceptor, heartworm treatment and ProHeart |
| age.* The infection rate in male dogs is as much | | | | are given monthly. Revolution is a new preventive |
| as 4 times that of female dogs and dogs housed | | | | applied topically. Some of these drugs also kill |
| outdoors are 4 to 5 times more likely to be | | | | other parasitic worms, and Revolution also acts |
| infected than indoor dogs.* Although there are | | | | against fleas, ticks, and mites.Many veterinarians |
| differences in frequency of infection for various | | | | including the team at Vetstop recommend a |
| groups of dogs, all dogs in endemic regions should | | | | year-round heartworm prevention to guard |
| be considered at risk and placed on surveillance | | | | against the occasional infected mosquito flying |
| prevention s.IntroductionHeartworm was once | | | | about in even relatively mild winters. The old |
| considered a parasite common in southern | | | | saying applies; "Prevention is better than |
| climates, it is now recognized as a major, global | | | | cure".Copyright 2006 Paul NelsonPaul Nelson writes |
| pest affecting dogs, foxes, wolves and | | | | articles for Pet Lovers, see more at our site |
| coyotes.Heartworm was discovered nearly a | | | | below. |