Canine heartworm disease, as a common parasitic disease, poses a serious threat to the health of dogs. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive scientific guide for pet owners from the detailed introduction of canine heartworm, clinical symptoms, infectiousness, diagnostic methods, preventive methods and treatment methods.

Common symptoms of heartworms in dogs

Seeming breathless or struggling to catch their breath.

Coughing after exercise.

Refusing to exercise or play.

Seeming lethargic or weak.

A bulging chest cavity.

Unintentional weight loss.

Loss of appetite.

Irregular heartbeat.

Canine heartworm disease, as a common parasitic disease, poses a serious threat to the health of dogs. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive scientific guide for pet owners from the detailed introduction of canine heartworm, clinical symptoms, infectiousness, diagnostic methods, preventive methods and treatment methods.

Detailed introduction of canine heartworm

Canine heartworm, scientifically known as Dirofilaria immitis, is an elongated parasite that parasitises the heart and pulmonary arteries of dogs. Its adult worms are yellowish-white, elongated like fans, and up to 30 cm long. It is mainly transmitted through mosquito bites. When a mosquito bites a dog infected with Dirofilaria immitis, it will suck up blood containing microfilariae, and then transmit the microfilariae to other dogs.

Clinical symptoms

The initial symptoms of canine heartworm disease are not obvious and are easily overlooked by pet owners. As the disease progresses, dogs may develop symptoms such as coughing, difficulty in breathing and exercise intolerance. In addition, as heartworm parasites are found in the heart, they will destroy the heart tissue, leading to a decline in heart function, which in turn triggers a series of symptoms of cardiopulmonary dysfunction, such as fluid in the lungs, ascites, jaundice and so on. In severe cases, the dog may suffer from cardiopulmonary failure, even life-threatening.

Infectious

Canine heartworm disease is mainly transmitted through mosquito bites, and is therefore highly contagious. Mosquitoes will carry microfilariae after biting dogs infected with heartworm and then spread the disease by biting other dogs. In addition, although humans may also be bitten by heartworm-carrying mosquitoes, they do not become hosts of heartworms and do not show obvious clinical symptoms because the environment in the human body is not suitable for the survival of heartworms. However, humans may become vectors of heartworm disease, so prevention is equally important.

Diagnosis

Diagnostic methods for canine heartworm disease mainly include blood diagnostic test kits, X-rays, echocardiography and other veterinary instrument. Blood test is one of the most commonly used diagnostic methods, through the collection of blood samples from dogs, to observe the presence of microfilariae. x-ray examination can observe the heart and lungs, which can help to detect the lesions caused by heartworms. Echocardiography, on the other hand, can observe the structure and function of the heart more intuitively, which is important for confirming the diagnosis of heartworm disease.

Preventive methods

The key to preventing canine heartworm disease lies in controlling the number of mosquitoes and avoiding dog bites. The following are some effective preventive measures:

Regular deworming: Regular monthly heartworm preventive drugs for dogs can effectively prevent heartworm infection. At the same time, these medications are also effective in preventing other parasites in the gastrointestinal tract part.

Anti-mosquito and anti-mosquito: Keep the living environment of dogs clean and hygienic to reduce the possibility of mosquito breeding. Use mosquito coils, mosquito nets and other anti-mosquito measures to avoid dogs being bitten by mosquitoes.

Avoid contact with the source of infection: Try to avoid letting the dogs come into contact with other dogs or environment that may be infected with heartworm to reduce the risk of infection.

Treatment

The treatment of canine heartworm disease requires comprehensive consideration of factors such as the dog’s condition, age and physical condition. Treatment methods mainly include medication and surgery.

Drug treatment: specific drugs are used to kill adult worms and microfilariae in the body. This treatment requires strict adherence to medical advice to ensure the correct dosage and application of the medication.

Surgery: In severe cases or if medication does not work, the adult worms in the heart may need to be surgically removed. Surgery is risky and should be performed under the supervision of a veterinary professional.

Nutritional support and care are also needed to help the dog recover during the treatment process. At the same time, care should be taken to prevent complications, such as heart and lung failure and infections.

In conclusion, canine heartworm disease is a serious parasitic disease that poses a threat to the health of dogs. Pet owners should strengthen the prevention and care of their dogs by regular deworming, mosquito control and prevention, and avoiding contact with the source of infection in order to reduce the risk of infection. For dogs that are already infected, it is important to seek prompt medical treatment and follow medical advice for medication or surgery to help restore health.

As a pioneer in the field of pet health and disease diagnostics, Antigenne has successfully launched a new brand, Itgen, which is dedicated to providing pet owners with accurate and efficient ELISA testing services and allergen test cards for the health and well-being of pets.

Since its inception, Antigenne has specialized in the development and manufacture of high-quality pet health diagnostic products. As an industry leader, the company understands the importance of pets to every family, and therefore always puts the health and safety of pets first. Through continuous technological innovation and product development, Antigenne has successfully launched the Itgen brand, injecting new vigor into the pet health diagnostic field.

With ELISA technology as the core, Itgen provides accurate disease diagnosis services for pet owners. ELISA technology is a commonly used biochemical analysis method that can effectively determine the health status of pets by detecting the presence and concentration of antibodies or antigens, and the ELISA kits of the Itgen brand are highly sensitive and specific, capable of accurately identifying a variety of pathogens and disease markers, and can be used for the detection of a variety of diseases. pathogens and disease markers, providing strong support for early detection and treatment of pet diseases.

In addition to the ELISA testing service, Antigenne also launched allergen testing kit. As people’s living standards improve, the problem of pet allergies is becoming more and more prominent. Allergen test can help pet owners quickly and accurately identify allergens in their pets, so as to take targeted preventive measures and reduce the risk of pet allergies. the SaberVet  pet disease test are easy to operate and have accurate results, which are well received by pet owners.

About Antigenne

Antigenne, holding the banner of enjoying living together with animals and protecting the health both of animals and humans, is dedicated to building a harmonious society for humans and animals. Insisting on the values of innovation, honesty and integrity, sticking to the principle of “quality is the cornerstone of future existence.” through innovative products and dimensional services, Antigenne is looking forward to cooperating with you and expecting to create a bright future with a win-win result.  Together, we can make a difference. Contact Antigenne now and let’s unlock the future of animal health.