Canine heartworm disease is a serious, deadly disease affecting thousands of dogs each year. Because of a parasite that lodges in the heart commonly known as heartworms, many dogs become permanently debilitated or die from lung, heart, or circulatory problems.

How does my dog get heartworm disease?

(1) The tiny immature heartworms are transmitted ONLY through the bite of a mosquito.
(2) At first, the parasites move into your dog’s tissues. Eventually they reach the heart and become lodged there.
(3) As the worms grow and reproduce, immature heartworms are released into the blood stream.

Now mosquitoes can bite your dog and pick up these new immature heartworms and transmit them to another dog.

Is heartworm disease serious?

Yes, it’s very serious. Heartworms interfere with the normal flow of blood from the right side of the heart to the vessels serving the lungs. If left untreated, canine heartworm disease can significantly reduce your dog’s quality of life, cause congestive failure of the heart and other organs, and ultimately can lead to death.

What are the symptoms of heartworm disease?

Early symptoms are discreet and you may not be able to observe them. Infected dogs become less active and tire easily. As the disease progresses, symptoms may include a soft wheeze or cough, weight loss, tiredness and even fainting. Adult heartworms are usually found in the heart and major blood vessels and sometimes in the lungs and liver. They can grow from 5 to 14 inches in length and in severe cases over a hundred may be present.

How do I know if my dog has heartworm disease?

Diagnosis of heartworm disease is determined by examination of the blood under a microscope to determine if the immature heartworms are present. Occult heartworm disease (heartworm disease without the presence of immature heartworms circulating in the blood) is present in 20% to 30% of dogs. Detection of the adult heartworms in the heart is possible through the use of an antibody blood test.

How can my dog be treated if he has heartworm disease?

A complete physical and medical examination is necessary to determine your pet’s health and how severe the heartworm disease is. Blood work and possibly x-rays may be needed as part of the complete evaluation of you pets condition prior to heartworm treatment. Normally treatment consists of two injections of Immitacide (Currently the most effective and safe drug available for the treatment of adult heartworms) given 24 hours apart. Your dog will be kept in the hospital during this time so his health may be monitored. The veterinarian may administer other medications on a case by case basis as needed. Your dog may need medications following this treatment to kill any immature heartworms in the blood.

Can heartworm disease be prevented?

Yes, heartworm disease can be prevented.There are chewable forms of heartworm prevention that must be given once a month. This type of prevention can be started at 2 months of age to protect your pet against heartworms. Although these heartworm preventions are very effective, yearly heartworm tests are necessary to assure that your pet has not been infected with this disease.

Don’t gamble with your pet’s life!

In Texas alone there were over 38,500 reported cases of heartworm disease. Contact us about the heartworm preventive program that will best protect your pet! Don’t let your pet become one of these statistics.

Dental Tartar and Plaque build-up. PERIODONTAL disease is caused by a build-up of plaque and tartar on the teeth. This results in inflammation and infection of the gums and loosening of the teeth.

PLAQUE, a sticky, colorless, bacteria-laden film, forms continuously on the teeth. If not removed, tartar forms at the gum line. Gradually, bacteria infect the gum tissue and the root of the tooth, eroding the underlying bone that secures the teeth. Without treatment, the gums recede, forming pockets that fill with bacteria. Eventually, the teeth fall out.

TEETH and gums are very near a large network of blood vessels. With extensive build-up of plaque, tartar, and bacteria, these blood vessels pick up bacteria and carry it to other parts of the body. This accumulation of bacteria can weaken the liver, kidneys, and heart, lowering your pet’s resistance to illnesses.

WARNING SIGNS While many pets with dental disease suffer in silence, others show acute pain while eating. Some pets act depressed. In older animals, owners may mistakenly blame these signs on “old age”.

BAD BREATH and drooling are frequent signs of dental disease. Pet’s teeth are normally white and smooth. Healthy gums are pink, smooth, and tightly adhered to the teeth. Plaque and tartar occur under the gum as well as on the crown. Affected gums are thickened, reddened, and bleed easily. If any of these warning signs is present, your pet needs veterinary attention.

TREATMENT for most pets consists of having your veterinarian scale (remove) the plaque and tartar on both the surface of the teeth and below the gum line. The teeth are then polished to smooth all surfaces. Regular dental examinations by your veterinarian are needed at least once a year.

HOME CARE is the most important factor in protecting your pet’s oral health. This includes feeding a proper diet with some dry or crunchy food to stimulate the gums and reduce the build-up of plaque and tartar. Regular brushing of your pet’s teeth for the removal and/or prevention of plaque is the most important procedure. People can choose their own level of oral hygiene; pets need their owners help with this.