{"id":4803,"date":"2025-04-10T08:45:25","date_gmt":"2025-04-10T08:45:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/budgetvetcare.improvepetcare.com\/?p=4803"},"modified":"2025-07-21T08:23:09","modified_gmt":"2025-07-21T08:23:09","slug":"heartworm-prevention-is-best-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/budgetvetcare.improvepetcare.com\/heartworm-prevention-is-best-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"Heartworms in Dogs: Prevention is The Best Treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Heartworms are prevalent across all 50 states of the USA and the cases of heartworm disease in dogs are increasing rapidly year after year. Each year, pet parents spend millions of dollars on their pets\u2019 heartworm treatment. Plus, this parasitic disease leaves an irreversible impact on canines\u2019 health. Needless to say, heartworm disease is indeed one of the most serious health concerns for both dogs and their guardians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, what can you do to protect your furry friend from this potentially fatal disease? The answer is here. Read on to know all about heartworm disease in dogs, how it can be treated and how to prevent this deadly parasitic infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heartworm disease<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Heartworm disease is caused by foot-long, spaghetti-shaped worms (heartworms) that live in the heart, lungs and associated blood vessels of the infected animals. It can cause severe lung disease, damage other body organs, and can lead to heart failure. Though dogs are the natural hosts, heartworms can also live inside cats, ferrets, and other mammals like foxes, coyotes, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do heartworms work in dogs?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A heartworm\u2019s lifecycle starts with a mosquito bite. A mosquito bites a heartworm-infected animal and ingests microscopic baby worms called microfilaria. These baby worms develop and reach the \u2018infective stage\u2019 inside the mosquito. And when this infected mosquito bites another dog, the infective larvae enter the new host\u2019s body. They mature and reach adulthood in around 6 months, then adult worms mate and produce offspring. When left untreated, heartworm numbers increase progressively and can reach several hundred at a time. Inside the dog, these heartworms disturb the normal blood flow and heart function, causing lung disease, Congestive Heart Failure and damage to other organs as a result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep Reading : The Phases of Heartworm Disease in Pets and How to Prevent It<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heartworm disease treatment<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once diagnosed, heartworm disease needs to be treated as early as possible. The veterinarian prepares a treatment plan and conducts the treatment in several steps starting from stabilizing the infected dog\u2019s condition, to administering the treatment and then evaluating the treatment response. The treatment kills most of the adult heartworms within one to three months. In severe cases where the worms are hindering the smooth flow of blood, surgical removal of adult worms may also be needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drawbacks of heartworm disease treatment<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Though the treatment of heartworm disease is possible, it comes with its own set of difficulties including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n