Heartworms are caused by mosquito bites; mosquitoes carry the heartworm larvae from an infected animal and bite your uninfected pet. The heartworm cannot be transmitted from dog to dog or cat to cat; its larva must be carried by a mosquito for it to grow up into a heartworm. The larvae then take six months to grow into the adult worms and may live up to seven years in dogs and up to three years in cats, reproducing just seven months after infection. Repeated bites from infected mosquitoes increase the number of heartworms in an animal. Adult heartworms settle into the blood vessels near and inside the heart and lungs, clogging blood flow and potentially causing congestive heart failure.
Symptoms of Heartworms in Dogs
Dogs generally do not show external symptoms of heartworms in the early stages. In later stages, they will develop a soft, persistent cough and have decreased physical activity. Other symptoms include coughing up blood, breathing quickly, losing weight, fainting, bloating in abdomen due to fluids, and experiencing nosebleeds or labored breathing.
Symptoms of Heartworms in Cats
In the early stages, cats do no exhibit clinical symptoms of heartworms. However, in later stages, some symptoms are: breathing quickly, coughing, losing weight, vomiting, and having decreased physical activity. Outdoor cats are more likely to become infested than indoor cats, but they are still not completely protected. Cats produce an antigen that fights against the heartworm; however, the heartworm can still survive. Cats are only less susceptible to heartworms than dogs.
Additional Help
If you believe your pet has heartworms, or if you want to have them tested for heatrworms, go to your vet and get a proper diagnosis of the severity of the infection through blood tests, microfilarial concentration test, chest X-rays, or an ECG. TalkLocal can help you find a local quality veterinarian quickly!
