Canine heartworm detectable, treatable

Northumberland Today - Ontario, CA
Summer months mean mosquito season. Mosquito season means that the diseases that mosquitoes vector will also be in season. These include dirofilariasis caused by the Dirofilaria immitis blood parasites. This is the well known heartworm parasite of dogs and oftentimes, cats. The parasite enters dogs through bites of infected mosquitoes. The lag period between infection and the development of symptoms can be up to months. The symptoms are: coughing, weight loss and reduced exercise tolerance. All dogs should be tested regardless of their apparent health. The prognosis of infected dogs is better if they are diagnosed early. A simple and inexpensive blood test for detecting D. immitis infection in dogs is available. It is cheaper to prevent dirofilariasis than to treat it. Dirofilariasis is prevented by a pill or chewable tablet or a spot-on liquid applied to the skin and are given monthly during the mosquito season. Although there is not 100% guarantee of protection, the preventive products are very effective. Dogs owners should know the distribution of the mosquito and the area wehre dirofilariasis is common. They should take precautionary measures to prevent the conditions developing in their dogs. Once dogs are infected, dirofilariasis can be treated with injectable medications that kill adult D. immitis.