Understanding Heartworm: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention

This National Heartworm Awareness Month, the team at Reedy Creek Vet wants to ensure that pet owners are well-informed about the risks of heartworm in dogs and cats, and how to keep their pets safe from this serious disease.

What is heartworm disease?

Heartworm disease is caused by a parasite known as Dirofilaria immitis, commonly referred to as heartworm. These parasitic worms can cause severe damage to your pet’s heart and lungs.

How do pets become infested with heartworm?

Heartworm is transmitted through mosquito bites. Mosquitoes transfer immature D. immitis worms from one animal to another. While dogs are the primary hosts, cats can also contract heartworm, though it’s less common.

After a mosquito bites and injects the immature worms into your pet, these worms travel through the tissues and settle in the pulmonary arteries (which carry blood from the heart to the lungs). It’s here that the worms grow into adults.

Signs of Heartworm Infestation

In the early stages, dogs with heartworm may show no signs. However, as the number of worms increases, the damage to the lungs and heart becomes more evident. Symptoms of advanced heartworm disease in dogs include:

• Persistent cough
• Weight loss
• Fatigue and reduced energy levels

As the condition progresses, dogs may show more severe symptoms like:

• Fluid build-up in the chest or abdomen (heart failure)
• Difficulty breathing
• Pale gums
• Fever
• Vomiting
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)

In cats, heartworm often results in respiratory issues such as coughing, wheezing, and vomiting. Cats may also lose their appetite and become lethargic.

Treatment of Heartworm

Treating heartworm is possible, but it’s a slow and potentially dangerous process. As the worms die, they can cause inflammation and shock in the body, which is why treatment needs to be administered carefully over time.

Heartworm Prevention

Thankfully, preventing heartworm is easy. There are several effective prevention options, such as monthly topical liquids for cats, and long-acting injections or monthly tablets or chews for dogs.

We recommend year-round heartworm prevention for all pets at risk.

If you’re unsure about the best prevention method for your pet, contact our Vet team on (07) 5593 8395, or visit our clinic for a chat. If you’re worried that your pet may have been exposed, it’s important to schedule a vet appointment for assessment.