Tame Pet Magazine Heartworms Article

     A heartworm is by definition a parasite, specifically a Dirofilaria immitis. It lives in the heart and pulmonary arteries of an infected mosquitoes. This is the only way to determine which mosquitoes are carriers. Once the larva hatches, the worms travel through the bloodstream and attack the animals
's vital organs. After six months of moving through the animals system, heartworms finally reach their ultimate destination- the heart and lungs. Dogs and cats can host several hundred worms for five to seven years. This disease is very dangerous for our pets and if not treated can be fatal. 
     Heartworms are a major health issue in pets throughout the United States. Heartworms can take years to fully develop or a short amount of time depending on the number of infected mosquitoes a dog is exposed to. This makes it very hard to diagnose heart worms early on; however a lot of animals exhibit noticeable symptoms. Afew signs are a :
PERSISTENT COUGH
DECLINE IN EXERCISE AND LETHARGY
DECREASED APPETITE 
WEIGHT LOSS
HARD TIME BREATHING
PALE GUMS
DARK BLOODY OR COFFEE COLORED URINE
Many dogs show non of these signs when they have heartworms though.
WHile this is a horrible disease, it can be prevented with a prescription medicine. Luckily, the prevention is safe, easy and relatively inexpensive, especially compared to the cost of the treatment once infected. There are a variety of different types of medication, such as monthly tablets, topicals and even six month injects. The most common one is given monthly with a very chewable tablet that the dogs love. The medication works by simply interrupting the heart worm development before the adult worms reach the lungs and cause the disease.

REMEMBER THAT PREVENTION IS ALWAYS EASIER THAN THE CURE, SO TAKE THE TIME TO PROTECT YOUR PET NOW !!!