Heartworm Awareness: Protecting Your Pets

As part of National Heartworm Awareness Month, the Taringa Vet team is committed to educating pet owners about the dangers of heartworm and how to prevent this serious disease in dogs and cats.

What is heartworm disease?

Heartworm is a disease caused by the parasite Dirofilaria immitis, more commonly known as heartworm. These parasites can cause extensive damage to your pet’s heart and lungs if left untreated.

What Is Heartworm?

Heartworm is a disease caused by the parasite Dirofilaria immitis, more commonly known as heartworm. These parasites can cause extensive damage to your pet’s heart and lungs if left untreated.
Heartworm is transmitted through mosquito bites. Mosquitoes transfer the immature stages of the worm from an infected animal to a healthy one. While dogs are the primary host for heartworm, cats can also be infected, although this is less common.

Once in the bloodstream, these worms travel to the arteries of the lungs, where they grow into adults and start to cause damage.

Symptoms of Heartworm Infestation

In the early stages, dogs with heartworm may not display any noticeable signs. However, as the number of worms grows, symptoms become more apparent. These include:

• Persistent coughing
• Loss of weight
• Low energy or unwillingness to exercise

As the infestation worsens, more severe symptoms can appear, including:

• Heart failure (fluid retention in the chest or abdomen)
• Breathing difficulties
• Fever
• Vomiting
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)

In cats, heartworm often leads to respiratory problems, such as coughing, wheezing, and vomiting, and may also cause a loss of appetite.

Treating Heartworm

While heartworm can be treated, the process is lengthy and carries risks. As the worms die off, they can cause severe inflammation, which can lead to shock. Treatment must be administered carefully and gradually to avoid complications.

How to Prevent Heartworm

Preventing heartworm is much easier than treating it. There are a variety of preventive measures available, including monthly topical treatments for cats and long-lasting injections or monthly chewable tablets for dogs.

We recommend maintaining year-round heartworm prevention for all pets

If you're unsure which prevention method is right for your pet, or if you suspect your pet may have been exposed, get in touch with our team for advice or to book a check-up. Contact us at (07) 3871 3888 or pop into the clinic for a chat.