AWARENESS_ HEARTWORM MONTH

ls heartworm a problem here in Vietnam?

Yes! Heartworm, scientific name Dirofilaria immitis, is prevalent in Vietnam.

How could my dog get heartworm disease?

Heartworm is transmitted from animal to animal by mosquitoes. When a mosquito feeds on our dogs it transmits infective larvae (worm egg) into the bloodstream. It takes 6 months for the larvae to mature to adult heartworms – and can be up to 30 cm in length! Once they have reached the adult stage, they reside in the vessels coming off the heart – causing damage and making it more difficult for the heart to beat

Should my dog be tested for heartworm?

Yes! As heartworms are spread by mosquitoes any pet exposed to mosquitos should be tested. This includes pets that only go outside occasionally. Remember that mosquitoes can also get into homes, putting indoor – only pets at risk

What are the signs of heartworm infection?

How can it be diagnosed?

A simple blood test can be performed by our veterinarians to detect the presence of adult heartworm infection (>6 month old infections) in your dog.

If positive then further tests, such as chest x – rays, a blood profile and an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart), may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis, evaluate the severity of the disease and to determine the best treatment plan for your dog.

How can my dog he treated?

Heartworm is a progressive, life-threatening disease. The earlier it is detected and treated, the better the chances that your pet will recover and have less complications.

As with most medical problems, it is much better to prevent heartworm infection than to treat it. However, should your dog become infected with heartworms, treatment is available.

The goal of treatment is to kill the adult worms present in your dog, as safely as possible. While your dog is being treated it will require complete rest throughout hospitalisation and for some time following the last treatment.

Additionally, other medications may be necessary to help control the body’s inflammatory reaction as the worms die and are broken down in the dogs lungs.

Can heartworm disease be prevented?

Yes! Heartworm infection is almost 100% preventable in dogs. Here at ADI we recommend a monthly chew called HeartGard. It’s highly palatable and few of our clients report any difficulty in giving it.

It must be noted that these preventatives do not kill adult heartworms, and will not eliminate heartworm infection or prevent signs of heartworm disease if adults are already present in your dog’s body. Therefore, a blood test for existing heartworm infection is recommended before beginning a prevention programme to assess your dog’s current heartworm status.

The American Heartworm Society recommends testing pets annually for heartworm and giving your dog a heartworm preventative 12 months a year.