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Heartworms (Dirofilaria immitus) are parasites that mature and reside in the hearts of dogs (and sometimes cats). The worms are white, slender and long 20-30cm (a bit like thin spaghetti!) Heartworm disease results when the worms fill the right side of the heart and the nearby blood vessels resulting in heart failure. Heartworm disease can be fatal.
Heartworm larvae are spread by mosquitos. Therefore, the disease is more common in warmer, humid environments. There is 100% incidence of heartworm in unprotected dogs in QLD and the NT but a much lower incidence in Victoria.
Life cycle
Adult worms live in the right side of the heart. They release microfilaria (larvae) into the dogs bloodstream. These microfilaria are ingested by mosquitos when they feed on the dog. They mature in the mosquito and then are transmitted to other dogs when the mosquito feeds again.
The microfilaria are injected (by the mosquito) into the fat layer of the skin and mature further. After some time they re enter the bloodstream and go to the heart where they mature into adult worms. This cycle takes 6 months.
At the Rowville Veterinary Clinic we recommend routine heartworm prevention. Heartworm disease can be treated however the treatments are expensive, require extensive hospitalisation and often the dogs heart has already sustained irreparable damage. In the case of heartworm, prevention is definitely better than cure!
There are many heartworm preventatives on the market. At the Rowville Veterinary Clinic we recommend monthly combination products that cover for heartworm, intestinal worms and fleas. For those who don't like medicating their pet monthly, or are likely to forget, there is an annual heartworm injection available.
Beware - 'allwormers' sold at supermarkets do not cover for heartworm!
At the Rowville Veterinary Clinic we recommend starting puppies on heartworm prevention by their second vaccination. Puppies older than 7 months of age and adult dogs that have not been on heartworm prevention before, must have a heartworm test before starting any preventatives. Heartworm tests are quick tests that use a small amount of blood. If the test is negative, the dog may start on heartworm prevention. A second test should be performed 7 months later again to ensure that the dog is clear.
If you would like more information on heartworm and prevention, or if you forget a dose, please contact the clinic.
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