Heartworm is a potentially fatal disease caused by a blood-borne parasite known as Dirofilaria immitis. This parasite is transmitted through the bite of an infected female mosquito; mosquitos are infected by feeding off a dog that has heartworm.

Don’t worry, pet owners; heartworms are very rarely transmitted to humans. We are not their natural host.

Infective larvae enter the dog’s body when the mosquito bites the dog. They migrate into the bloodstream and move to the heart maturing, mating and reproducing microfilariae (heartworm babies) within six to seven months. It is the microfilariae that, in turn, are consumed by the female mosquito, making her a future inoculator. Since transmission requires the mosquito as an intermediate host, the disease is not spread directly from dog to dog. Spread of the disease therefore coincides with mosquito season, which can be year-round in many parts of the United States. Heartworm disease is diagnosed in every state.

It usually takes several years before dogs show clinical signs of infection. The worms can grow to 12 inches in length and live five to seven years! A dog can actually have hundreds of these icky worms living inside the heart at one time.

Adult heartworms cause disease by clogging the heart and major blood vessels leading from the heart. By clogging the main blood vessel, the blood supply to other organs of the body is reduced, causing them to malfunction.

The most obvious clinical signs of heartworm disease are a soft, dry cough, shortness of breath, weakness, exercise intolerance and fainting. All of these signs are most noticeable following exercise. In advanced cases, congestive heart failure occurs and dogs have a difficult time breathing from fluid accumulation in their lungs.

A simple blood test can detect the presence of heartworm far in advance of them showing clinical signs of disease. This blood test can easily be performed by your veterinarian. If your dog tests positive, your vet will recommend some additional tests to assess the stage of disease, and from there, a recommended course of treatment can be suggested.

Treatment is aimed at killing the adult heartworms and microfilaria. It is done in stages to minimize reactions. Treatment consists of injections to kill the adults, oral meds to kill the microfilaria and a combination of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications aimed at controlling secondary problems. In addition, if the dog exhibits signs of advanced disease, medications may be given to control or ameliorate those symptoms.

During treatment, it is imperative that the dogs be strictly rested, as the death of the adult worms and microfilaria can cause bad reactions.

With this disease, an ounce of prevention is truly worth a pound of cure. Treatment for heartworm is very expensive ($1,000 and up) and can have side effects that are just as dangerous as the disease itself. Preventing infection is the best course of action and can be done with a prescription for a monthly medication from your veterinarian. Your veterinarian will require a blood test first before prescribing the preventative medication, as putting your dog on preventatives without knowing its heartworm infection status can be dangerous.

The monthly cost of this oral or topical medication is less than a burger and fries at your favorite fast-food restaurant. Prevention should be maintained year-round, as these medications also protect your dog from intestinal parasites. Some topical preparations also contain mosquito repellent to further diminish exposure.

Most people don’t realize that heartworm disease affects cats as well, but their infection rates are much lower. They are an atypical host and often only have one or two worms living in their heart.

Symptoms in cats are not due to worm burden but rather an allergic reaction when the worms naturally die off. Cats manifest the infection with symptoms similar to asthma (coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath). Some cats will have nondescript symptoms of malaise or vomiting. However infection can cause sudden death in otherwise healthy-appearing cats. Interestingly, a recent study from North Carolina University found that 25 percent of cats infected with heartworms were totally indoor cats.

There is monthly preventative medication for cats and, recently, a blood test has been introduced that can be performed by your veterinarian. Treatment options are very limited at this time, but knowing the infection status of your cat can be helpful.

Robin Brennen is chief of veterinary services and vice president of operations at the Animal Hospitals at Bideawee.

Proper dental hygene is important for your pet's s health

Why do two-thirds of well-meaning pet owners often ignore their veterinarian’s recommendations for proper dental care? I suppose we all hate going to the dentist, so maybe there is a bit of anthropomorphizing going on. But the fact is the American Veterinary Dental Society reports that 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by age 3. That’s nothing to smile about.

Fido’s and Fifi’s funky breath can be an early sign that something is afoul; halitosis is often a consequence of periodontal disease. Just as in humans, bacteria in the mouth helps form plaque. Left to accumulate, tartar forms and plaque and tartar can infect the gums and cause gingivitis. The gums appear red and swollen and can bleed easily. Once plaque takes hold below the gum line, the structure of the tooth can be affected. Infection can form around the root and spread into the surrounding bone. This can result in tooth and bone loss.

Sound painful? It is. However, dogs and cats often suffer silently and will continue to eat despite considerable discomfort. Pain isn’t the only issue. Bacteria that overcolonize in the mouth can enter the blood stream through the diseased and bleeding gum tissue. The bacteria are then free to lodge in the heart, liver and kidneys, resulting in damage to those organs and serious health problems. Signs of oral disease can include bad breath, red gums, drooling, difficulty chewing, food bowl avoidance, dropping of food and facial swelling.

In the wild, the canine and feline species rip and tear apart their prey, which actually helps keep their teeth and gums healthy. Domestication and manufactured diets have removed nature’s built-in dental care. Therefore, your pet needs human intervention to ensure proper oral health. Regular dental checkups should be part of your pet’s annual maintenance program. Routine dental cleanings may be suggested by your veterinarian as a prophylactic measure, or your pet may be in serious need of a deep cleaning that may include tooth extractions.

Owner reluctance often stems from the fact that animals need to be put under anesthesia in order to perform the dentistry properly and safely. When I think about it, I wish I had that option! I would probably visit the dentist more often.

As we all know, tooth cleaning is not a pleasant experience. If the gums are inflamed, it can be downright uncomfortable. Fortunately for our pets, they are happily asleep during the procedure. This allows for all sides of the tooth to be cleaned properly with the use of an ultrasonic scaler, as well as deep cleaning below the gum line. In addition, the teeth can be polished adequately and a thorough assessment of the oral cavity performed.

Your veterinarian can take many steps to ensure that the anesthetic procedure is as safe as possible. A pre-anesthetic exam and blood work can help assess risk and allow for the proper choice of anesthetic agents tailored to the individual pet’s health status. Intra-operative patient monitoring and fluid administration enhance the safety and pain medications are often prescribe to make the recovery and post-dental period more comfortable.

Dental care should begin at a young age. Home care is an important part of overall dental health. Daily brushing should be incorporated into your routine. There are many videos on YouTube on how to get your pet acclimated to brushing. Your veterinarian may also recommend a dental diet specially formulated to help remove plaque, if your pet is prone to periodontal disease. There are chew toys on the market that also help massage the gums and remove plaque.

Nothing beats in-home monitoring. Flip up a lip and take a peek inside your pet’s mouth. If you see something, say something! Don’t brush aside your pet’s oral health.

If you want to give your pet a dental health checkup, the animal hospitals at Bideawee have a variety of dental health care packages for dogs and cats.

Robin Brennen is chief of veterinary services & VP of operations at Bideawee.