Post by juju on Feb 9, 2006 17:53:17 GMT -5
I get many newsletters and most of them are good solid advice. And the ones I get for dogs and cats only comes in once a month. So as I get them, I will post them. Save some of you signing up. 
This one is from
omahavaccine.com
( www.omahavaccine.com/ )
HEARTWORM DISEASE
Mosquito bites are more than a nuisance; they can threaten your pet's life. A bite can transmit a very serious, infections illness called "Heartworm Disease" Heartworm Disease occurs in dogs and cats wherever and whenever mosquitoes are found. It is most common in the warmer months and warmer parts of the country, but can be a problem just about anywhere in the country. Prevention of Heartworm Disease should be a part of a pet's routine health care.
Heartworm Disease is caused by a parasite named Dirofilaria immitis. In their immature, microscopic stage, the heartworms are carried by mosquitoes. They are injected into your pet while the mosquito is feeding. The immature worms migrate through the body, eventually reaching the heart, lungs, and connecting blood vessels. In approximately six months, they grow to become adults as long as 14 inches in length. When they reproduce, their tiny offspring, called microfilariae, circulate in the bloodstream. At this point they can be spread to another animal by a mosquito bite.
Because these parasites live in the heart and blood vessels, the disease signs are those of heart and lung problems. Animals with heartworm disease may tire easily, cough, loose weight, and have trouble breathing. As the illness progresses, animals may have fluid build-up in the abdomen and swelling of the legs. If not identified and treated, heartworms can cause collapse and the death of the pet. Cats may show no signs, but die without warning.
Heartworms are identified using a simple blood test. Dogs should be routinely screened for heartworm disease, as treatment is most successful if the illness if identified in its early stages. If a dog is identified as having Heartworm Disease, it can be treated with an injectable medication. The treatment is carried out in two stages, carries some risk, and requires the animal to be rested for several weeks.
Prevention is much easier that treatment. All dogs should be routinely tested for Heartworm Disease. Testing is typically done on an annual basis, although some dogs may require more frequent testing. Dogs with a negative heartworm test should be placed on a preventative medication. It is important to understand that the preventative should never be given without performing the blood test. Placing any animal on preventative that is already infected with heartworms can result in a severe reaction and the death of the animal.
Several types of preventative medication are available, including tablets given on a daily basis, monthly tablets, and a monthly spot-on topical solution. Animals should be on preventative medication whenever mosquitoes are present. Even animals on year-round preventative medication need yearly heartworm tests. This way any accidental infection can be identified and treated. Cats can also be placed on a monthly heartworm preventative medication, available either as a tablet or a spot-on topical solution.
Heartworm Disease is a potentially fatal disease that is difficult and dangerous to treat. However, it is easy to prevent. Routine blood testing and the use of preventative medications can stop heartworms before they cause disease in you pets.
Please don't hesitate to contact myself via E-mail at drjaneleon@omahavaccine.com if you have any questions regarding the Heartworm article, or any question(s) that you may have pertaining to your pet(s) or products.
Dr. Jane Leon
This one is from omahavaccine.com
( www.omahavaccine.com/ )
HEARTWORM DISEASE
Mosquito bites are more than a nuisance; they can threaten your pet's life. A bite can transmit a very serious, infections illness called "Heartworm Disease" Heartworm Disease occurs in dogs and cats wherever and whenever mosquitoes are found. It is most common in the warmer months and warmer parts of the country, but can be a problem just about anywhere in the country. Prevention of Heartworm Disease should be a part of a pet's routine health care.
Heartworm Disease is caused by a parasite named Dirofilaria immitis. In their immature, microscopic stage, the heartworms are carried by mosquitoes. They are injected into your pet while the mosquito is feeding. The immature worms migrate through the body, eventually reaching the heart, lungs, and connecting blood vessels. In approximately six months, they grow to become adults as long as 14 inches in length. When they reproduce, their tiny offspring, called microfilariae, circulate in the bloodstream. At this point they can be spread to another animal by a mosquito bite.
Because these parasites live in the heart and blood vessels, the disease signs are those of heart and lung problems. Animals with heartworm disease may tire easily, cough, loose weight, and have trouble breathing. As the illness progresses, animals may have fluid build-up in the abdomen and swelling of the legs. If not identified and treated, heartworms can cause collapse and the death of the pet. Cats may show no signs, but die without warning.
Heartworms are identified using a simple blood test. Dogs should be routinely screened for heartworm disease, as treatment is most successful if the illness if identified in its early stages. If a dog is identified as having Heartworm Disease, it can be treated with an injectable medication. The treatment is carried out in two stages, carries some risk, and requires the animal to be rested for several weeks.
Prevention is much easier that treatment. All dogs should be routinely tested for Heartworm Disease. Testing is typically done on an annual basis, although some dogs may require more frequent testing. Dogs with a negative heartworm test should be placed on a preventative medication. It is important to understand that the preventative should never be given without performing the blood test. Placing any animal on preventative that is already infected with heartworms can result in a severe reaction and the death of the animal.
Several types of preventative medication are available, including tablets given on a daily basis, monthly tablets, and a monthly spot-on topical solution. Animals should be on preventative medication whenever mosquitoes are present. Even animals on year-round preventative medication need yearly heartworm tests. This way any accidental infection can be identified and treated. Cats can also be placed on a monthly heartworm preventative medication, available either as a tablet or a spot-on topical solution.
Heartworm Disease is a potentially fatal disease that is difficult and dangerous to treat. However, it is easy to prevent. Routine blood testing and the use of preventative medications can stop heartworms before they cause disease in you pets.
Please don't hesitate to contact myself via E-mail at drjaneleon@omahavaccine.com if you have any questions regarding the Heartworm article, or any question(s) that you may have pertaining to your pet(s) or products.
Dr. Jane Leon
