Heartworm, unfortunately, is a very common disease and may be found in dogs all over the world. Clinically known as Dirofilaria immitis, it is transmitted by mosquitoes through the injection of a microscopic larva during feeding. (Want to learn more about heartworm and other common diseases that can affect your pet? Visit our website:An Elkridge Veterinarian
These larva soon grow into an adult worms that can reach anywhere from six to eighteen inches in length and they take up residence in the heart of it's host, your pet.
The worms can cause mild symptoms, such as coughing, but with time, more severe symptoms such as congestive heart failure, weight loss, fluid build up in the abdomen, fainting spells, anemia, collapse, and death usually occur.
Needless to say, heartworms are a very serious parasite to afflict our four-legged friends.
How Do We Treat Heartworm?
There are several excellent medications which can prevent heartworm if given as directed. There are oral medications which can be given monthly, and they provide an added benefit by helping to protect against some intestinal parasites as well. There is also one topical monthly medication.
In addition, an injectable medication, ProHeart, is available. This affords a 6-month protection span.
Are These Heartworm Medications Foolproof?
Like all medications, there is no guarantee as to their effectiveness, it is still important to have annual checkups for heartworms with your veterinarian. The treatment for adult heartworms in dogs is expensive and potentially harmful to the dog. This makes the case for prevention in the first place.
Some people do not realize the importance of administering the medication in a timely fashion and thus run the risk of an adverse reaction from giving the preventative petmed late. These reactions sometimes turn deadly.
Can My Cat Develop Heartworm?
Once thought rare in cats, the incidence has been estimated to be from 10% to 50% of the canine rate, quite high actually.
The bigger problem is, cats usually test negative on the routine blood test done in the hospital, allowing the parasite to be overlooked at times. Your veterinarian has to do different tests in order to diagnose heartworms in cats.
Compounding the fact the feline version is difficult to detect, the symptoms are also different. Cats usually demonstrate asthmatic signs and/or coughing, sometimes with vomiting.
There is no treatment for adult heartworms in cats. Your best course of action is a monthly heartworms preventative for your cats as well as your dogs. Call us for more information: (443) 731-6602.
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Why Flea Control Is Important
Fleas are a common type of animal parasite. They are not restricted to dogs as some might believe, also being found on cats, and many other mammals, including wild animals.
They are true survivors and can be found in almost every area of the world, even in cold climates.
The Flea Life Cycle
There are four stages to the flea life cycle.
The Egg Stage
Eggs are laid by the adult female flea on the warm-blodded host but they all don't stay there. Some eggs roll off into the environment whereever that animal might be and after a few days they mature into larvae.
The Larvae Stage
These larvae survive by eating flea feces, flea egg shells, organic debris, and other flea larvae. They are hardy survivors. They can crawl and sometimes move as much as six inches per day. This stage lasts a few days, pretty much dependent upon the available food resources.
The Pupal Stage
After a few days, larvae mature into pupae. Pupae have very thick shells, designed by nature to withstand harsh environmental conditions while they sit and wait for a suitable host to come by.
The Adult Stage
Once the pupae detect a suitable warm-blooded host is present, they quickly mature into adult fleas and hop a ride on said host, thus starting the lifecycle all over again.
Flea Treatments a Veterinarian Can Provide
First, there is no one drug or chemical that can kill all four stages of the flea. The most common types used for adult fleas are Activyl, Frontline, Advantage, Comfortis, Capstar, and Revolution.
You must be careful however, some of the older products are highly toxic to cats.
As for the Larval Stage, Lufenuron and methoprene are chemicals that work. No chemical is currently available to effectively kill the pupal stage.
Why See An Animal Doctor About Fleas
Fleas are the number one allergen source for dogs and cats and can cause severe skin disease and itching if left untreated. They also can carry and spread several serious diseases, such as tapeworms, cat scratch disease (Bartonella), murine typhus, and even the bubonic plague.
Your veterinarian can help you with a flea control program
depending on what kind of pet you have and the level of flea infestation present. Contact the veterinarian at Claws N Paws website www.clawsnpawshospital.com today for more information.
They are true survivors and can be found in almost every area of the world, even in cold climates.
The Flea Life Cycle
There are four stages to the flea life cycle.
The Egg Stage
Eggs are laid by the adult female flea on the warm-blodded host but they all don't stay there. Some eggs roll off into the environment whereever that animal might be and after a few days they mature into larvae.
The Larvae Stage
These larvae survive by eating flea feces, flea egg shells, organic debris, and other flea larvae. They are hardy survivors. They can crawl and sometimes move as much as six inches per day. This stage lasts a few days, pretty much dependent upon the available food resources.
The Pupal Stage
After a few days, larvae mature into pupae. Pupae have very thick shells, designed by nature to withstand harsh environmental conditions while they sit and wait for a suitable host to come by.
The Adult Stage
Once the pupae detect a suitable warm-blooded host is present, they quickly mature into adult fleas and hop a ride on said host, thus starting the lifecycle all over again.
Flea Treatments a Veterinarian Can Provide
First, there is no one drug or chemical that can kill all four stages of the flea. The most common types used for adult fleas are Activyl, Frontline, Advantage, Comfortis, Capstar, and Revolution.
You must be careful however, some of the older products are highly toxic to cats.
As for the Larval Stage, Lufenuron and methoprene are chemicals that work. No chemical is currently available to effectively kill the pupal stage.
Why See An Animal Doctor About Fleas
Fleas are the number one allergen source for dogs and cats and can cause severe skin disease and itching if left untreated. They also can carry and spread several serious diseases, such as tapeworms, cat scratch disease (Bartonella), murine typhus, and even the bubonic plague.
Your veterinarian can help you with a flea control program
depending on what kind of pet you have and the level of flea infestation present. Contact the veterinarian at Claws N Paws website www.clawsnpawshospital.com today for more information.
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