Heartworm - it's not just a summer threat!

Why is it so important to keep your pets on heartworm preventative year round? Check out this video to learn just what heartworm is and the importance of year round prevention!

The Scoop on Poop!

Why are we so preoccupied with checking your pet’s poop?

Consider the following facts:

• Most pets are born with roundworms.
• Roundworms and hookworms carried by pets can infect people.  These infections have been known to cause eye disease leading to blindness in an eye in some people that are infected (primarily children).
• Hookworms can penetrate skin and foot pads to enter a pet’s body without even being ingested by your pet.
• Just like chicken pox in people remain in the body to cause shingles later in life, once a pet has roundworms, they can recur in their body without ever being exposed to an outside source.  Indoor cats can redevelop this parasite in the intestines despite being indoors for years!
• Pets can also get parasites like tapeworms from ingesting a mouse or having fleas.
• The CDC reports that 14% of Americans show that they have been exposed to roundworms based on detection of antibodies in their blood.
• In addition to roundworms, pets can be parasitized by:      
• Giardia, Tapeworms, Coccidia, Toxoplasma, Tritrichomonas, Strongyloides

Keep your pets safe and help keep your family safe!

• Have your pet’s fecal sample checked regularly.  We recommend a fecal check every 6 months!
• Pick up pet waste as soon as possible from the yard
• Keep your dog and cat on heartworm preventative all year round.  This helps prevent against intestinal parasites too!
• Teach kids to always wash their hands before eating especially after handling a pet.

Learn more at the Companion Animal Parasite Council at http://www.capcvet.org/

article written by:

Scott Petereit, DVM

Camp McDonald Animal Hospital, soon to be Companion Animal Hospital

Mount Prospect, IL

Heartworm in Dogs—the Big Picture

What is Heartworm?

Heartworm is a worm that is about the size of angel hair pasta that grow inside the right side of the heart and major blood vessels of the lungs.  Dogs, wild canids (fox, coyote, wolves), ferrets, cats, some other small mammals, sea lions and even very rarely people can become infected with heartworm.  Worms grow to adulthood most readily in dog and dog-like species.  Adult worms living in the heart will produce microfilaria (baby worms) that are transmitted via mosquito.  Adult worms can grow up to 12 inches long and live 5 – 7 years!

Heartworm disease refers to the illness caused by a heartworm infection.  Initially, an infected dog may have no signs of illness.  As heartworm progresses, damage to the lungs and heart will lead to cough, exercise intolerance, decreased appetite and weight loss, and ultimately heart failure.  Occasionally heartworm can contribute to kidney damage as well. 

The current recommendation of the American Heartworm Society, a veterinary organization that focuses on best way to contend with heartworm disease, is to keep pets on heartworm preventative all year around.  This recommendation is due to the many complex factors that contribute to the unpredictability and spread of this disease.  Prevention is safe, effective, and well tolerated.  

Important things to know:

1)  The mosquito is a necessary vector (carrier) for heartworm disease.  A very early stage of the heartworm development occurs in the mouthparts of the mosquito.

2)  Current tests can only detect adult heartworms living inside the heart. Following a bite from an infected mosquito, it takes 6 months for a heartworm (microscopic baby worm carried by the mosquito) to develop into an adult in the dog. 

3)  Heartworm has been diagnosed in all 50 states.  While transmission has not been documented in Alaska, there are brief times when this northern climate can support transfer of the disease. 

4)  Heartworm is on the move.  Some areas of the country have more heartworm than others.  The southeastern United States has consistently documented high infection rates.  Movement of dogs from these areas contributes to the spread of infection.

5)  “Heat islands” associated with buildings and parking lots of urban areas may extend active mosquito seasons and transmission of heartworm disease. 

6)  The course of treatment for heartworm disease takes many months.  In fact, dogs need to be restricted from activity for about 5 months during treatment due potentially severe lung embolism (clots) from dying worms. 

There are many great sources for pet owners about heartworm.  Here are some links to learn more:
 

The American Heartworm Society:    https://www.heartwormsociety.org/pet-owner-resources/heartworm-basics

The Companion Animal Parasite Council:  http://www.capcvet.org/capc-recommendations/canine-heartworm

The American Veterinary Medical Association:  https://www.avma.org/public/PetCare/Pages/Heartworm-Disease.aspx

Heartworm disease in cats manifests itself very differently and is deserving of a separate discussion. 

Sources:  The American Heartworm Society, the American Veterinary Medical Association, and the Companion Animal Parasite Council.

article written by:

Laura Rau-Holl, DVM

Wolf Merrick Animal Hospital, Kenosha, WI

Transition to Interceptor Plus

Heartgard is an oral heartworm preventative which is recommended to be given once monthly on a year round basis.  It prevents heartworm disease as well as a few intestinal parasites.  The medication comes in a beef flavored chew and is generally well tolerated by dogs.

Though we have used Heartgard successfully for years, the hospital recently made the switch to Interceptor Plus.  Our doctors are excited to recommend this product for several reasons:

• It is just as effective at preventing heartworm disease when given monthly on a year round basis. 
• It not only prevents roundworms and hookworms, but also whipworms and tapeworms. 
• Certain breeds can be very sensitive to the drug Ivermectin (the active ingredient in Heartgard). Toxicity in these sensitive breeds could occur with an overdose. Thankfully, this is not the case with Interceptor Plus. 
• The chewable tablet is safe and tolerated very well. It is also smaller than Heartgard so easier to give to smaller pets. Most dogs will readily take it as a treat. 
• Price is a huge benefit! This product will save the average pet owner money each year. There are great manufacturer rebates!

We made the switch to Interceptor Plus because the product does MORE for LESS cost and in a similar SAFE, TASTY treat.  At this point, it is the most broad spectrum oral preventative on the market.  Please don’t hesitate to call the hospital if you have any questions about Interceptor Plus!