What Are the Common Ways Dogs Contract Heartworm Disease?

Dogs are susceptible to a dangerous and sometimes fatal illness called heartworm disease. Dirofilaria immitis, a parasite that spreads by mosquito bites, is the cause of this illness. Although heartworm illness is preventable with appropriate veterinarian treatment, in order to safeguard their furry friends, dog owners must be aware of how canines might get infected with the disease.

Mosquito Bites:

Dogs often get infected with heartworm disease from mosquito bites. A mosquito will pick up microfilariae, or young heartworms, from the bloodstream of a dog it feeds on that has heartworms. These microfilariae mature into infectious larvae within the mosquito during the course of the next 10–14 days. These infectious larvae are injected into the circulation of the dog by the infected mosquito when it bites another dog. From there, they go to the heart and lungs and mature into adult heartworms. This transmission mechanism emphasizes how crucial it is to limit your pet's exposure to mosquitoes in order to protect them.

Lack of Preventative Medication

When owners neglect to give their pets prophylactic medicine, this is one of the major ways that dogs get heartworm disease. The goal of preventative medication, which is usually given once a month, is to eliminate the juvenile heartworms that are circulating in the blood of dogs before they develop into adult worms. Additionally, these drugs reduce the mosquito's ability to transmit heartworms, lowering the chance of infection. If these prophylactics are not taken, your dog may become susceptible to heartworm infection.

Outdoor Activities and Exposure

Dogs that spend a lot of time outside, especially in regions where mosquito populations are strong, are more likely to get heartworm disease. Dogs who are active at dawn and dusk run the risk of being bitten by an infected mosquito since these are the times of day when mosquitoes are most active. Extended outdoor activities such as hiking and camping might expose dogs to more mosquitoes and raise their risk of illness.

Delayed Diagnosis and Treatment

A typical way that dogs get heartworm disease is if their diagnosis and treatment are put off. It's possible that heartworm disease symptoms won't show up until the infection has worsened and the adult worms are seriously harming the heart and lungs. Postponing a veterinary appointment may lead to a more serious and difficult condition to handle.

Rescued or Adopted Dogs

Dogs who are adopted from unidentified backgrounds or saved from shelters may be more susceptible to heartworm infection. This is due to the possibility that the dog's past medical history and preventive measures are unknown. Regardless of the pet's origins, it is essential to get a heartworm test performed and to set up a prophylactic plan.

Unsanitary Living Conditions

Dogs who live in unhygienic settings, such kennels with too many people or areas where there are a lot of diseased dogs, are more likely to get heartworms. This is due to the fact that mosquitoes may readily travel in close quarters between susceptible and diseased canines, raising the possibility of disease transmission.

Conclusion:

It's essential to prevent heartworm disease for your dog's overall health and wellbeing. Understanding how dogs get heartworms is essential to their health. The first line of defense for your dog against heartworm illness is knowing how the condition is often acquired in dogs. Maintaining your dog heartworm-free requires regular preventive medication administration, limiting outside exposure during mosquito activity peaks, and seeking prompt veterinarian attention if you suspect heartworm infection. You can guarantee your pet has a happy and healthy life by adopting these preventative measures.

Ricky is a graduate of computer science engineering, a writer and marketing consultant. he continues to study on Nano technology and its resulting benefits to achieving almost there.