by Sabrina Martin

Created on: July 21, 2009   Last Updated: July 22, 2009

At the vet clinic I worked for there was a jar that held a dogs heart with what looked like hundreds of thin spaghetti noodles protruding from the vessels. On one side of the jar was a label that read "Dog's heart infected with heartworms."

Dogs and cats get heart worms from mosquitoes. Mosquitoes bite other animals infected with heartworm and carry the tiny worms around in their saliva. Later when the mosquito bites another pet, the tiny worms (microfilaria) are injected into the animal's blood stream and eventually make their way to the heart. During their journey to the heart the microfilaria grows and will reach the size of a thin spaghetti noodle.

While in the heart vessels the worms breed and have offspring, continuing to increase in number until they eventually block off the vessels, preventing blood from getting through. If heart worm is not treated it can and will lead to death.

How is Heartworm treated?

Treatment of heartworm is determined by the pet's veterinarian based on what the risks involved are and what the best course of treatment will be. According to the ASPCA website, the most common form of treatment for heartworm is a series of injections called adulticides that are injected into the muscle.

Most pets have to be hospitalized for this treatment and have their exercise limited for several weeks. The veterinarian will put the pet on a preventative after treatment to prevent infection.

What are the Clinical signs of heartworm?

Some of the symptoms of heartworm include but are not limited to listlessness, vomiting, coughing, and forced deep breathing. If you're pet exhibits any of these symptoms consult a veterinarian immediately.

How can heartworm be prevented?

The best way to prevent heartworm is to begin pets on a heartworm preventative at eight weeks of age. A preventative such as Heart Guard should be continued on a monthly basis for the pet's lifetime. After a pet reaches six months, he will have to be tested for heartworm before a veterinarian will prescribe a heartworm preventative.

Heart worm is a deadly disease that pets can contract anywhere. Pets living in hot and humid areas are at greater risk because mosquitoes thrive in these areas. If you recently got a new puppy or kitten, talk to your veterinarian about starting her on a preventative. If you have a cat or dog older than six months take him in for a heartworm test so that a preventative can begin as soon as possible.

(For further information on heartworm visit the ASPCA's website by following this link: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/dog-care-hear tworm.html).

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