{"id":276,"date":"2023-04-04T15:30:56","date_gmt":"2023-04-04T22:30:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shilohsvet.com\/blog\/?p=276"},"modified":"2023-04-04T15:30:57","modified_gmt":"2023-04-04T22:30:57","slug":"is-heartworm-disease-in-dogs-really-that-dangerous-sadly-yes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shilohsvet.com\/blog\/is-heartworm-disease-in-dogs-really-that-dangerous-sadly-yes\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Heartworm Disease In Dogs Really That Dangerous? Sadly, Yes."},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Chocolate<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

It is absolutely reasonable to question every vaccination, medication, and preventive method recommended for your companion animal. Indeed, that\u2019s the very essence of responsible pet ownership. Heartworm disease in dogs has the potential to cause severe lung disease, heart failure, organ damage, and can even be fatal. Together, we can ensure your dog has every possible protection <\/a>against heartworm-carrying mosquitos and other parasites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t Look Away<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Microscopic worms deposited in the bloodstream by an infected mosquito sounds like something from a science fiction\/horror movie, but the truth is scarier than fiction. Dogs are considered ideal hosts for these parasitic worms known as Dirofilaria immitis<\/em>, meaning the conditions inside a dog\u2019s body are hospitable to the worms. This internal environment allows the worms to mature, mate, and produce offspring inside the heart, lungs, and surrounding blood vessels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shocking and Terrible<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Mosquitoes are incredibly stealthy and often pass unnoticed until well after they initiate a bite. Even a quick blood meal can be enough time for a mosquito to pass the microscopic worms into a dog\u2019s bloodstream. A newly infected dog may not show symptoms of heartworm disease for several months. By then, the worms have matured, released offspring, and completed the life cycle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Worm Burden<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Heartworms can live between 5-7 years in an ideal host. By then, they can measure between 6-12 inches in length, resembling cooked spaghetti noodles. The average \u201cworm burden,\u201d or number of \u201chealthy\u201d adult worms, is 15 worms. That said, there have been cases of a worm burden being over 200!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heartworm Disease in Dogs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Symptoms may be harder to detect in dogs with low worm counts, but can be obvious in dogs that have a lot of worms, have been infected for a length of time, or previously enjoyed strenuous activities. Owners may start to notice the following red flags:<\/p>\n\n\n\n