Hello Dallas Voice readers, welcome to my monthly Wof column. First of all, I would like to thank everyone who has supported me over the past four years. I would also like to thank everyone who voted for my Ira Veterinary Boutique Hospital in Addison, which just recently won Best Veterinarian at the 5th Annual Dallas Voice Leaders Voice Awards. I opened Isla Vet five years before him and have won RVA every year since.
It is a great honor for me, but also a very humbling experience. Thank you Dallas Voice and voters for making that happen. Also, congratulations to the remaining winners. Let's continue to support our community and allies.
Now, let's quickly move on to the topic of my dog column. April is Heartworm Awareness Month. Heartworms are common in Texas, so it's very important that all my dog and cat parents are aware of what heartworms are.
Heartworms are blood parasites that affect dogs and cats (among other mammals) and are transmitted through the bite of mosquitoes carrying microscopic worms.
It cannot be transmitted from dog to dog or cat to cat. It needs mosquitoes to spread.
Some people think that heartworms appear in the stool, but this is not the case, as they are blood parasites. When a mosquito carrying this parasite bites a dog or cat, it usually takes about six months for the microscopic babies to travel through the bloodstream and reach the heart. However, as adults, they can reach up to a foot in length.
When this parasite reproduces as an adult, it can cause a variety of symptoms. One of the most common symptoms is excessive coughing. Over time, heartworm disease can cause permanent damage to the heart and blood vessels around the heart, and if left untreated, it can also lead to life-threatening complications. Heartworm disease is usually more common in dogs, but it can also affect cats.
Unfortunately, some pet parents are under the impression that pets that are kept indoors are not infected with heartworms. But since when do mosquitoes need permission to enter your home?!Here in Texas, we see heartworm infections year-round, even in the winter. According to a 2019 study by the American Heartworm Association, Texas ranks among the top 10 states in the nation with the highest heartworm rates. In fact, if you search for a dog through a shelter or shelter, you may find that many dogs that have not yet been adopted are heartworm positive and are undergoing treatment for adoption.
Diagnosis of heartworm infection begins with a simple and quick blood test performed by your veterinarian, with results typically taking about 10 minutes. If positive, your veterinarian may recommend further testing for confirmation and a more thorough evaluation.
Heartworm disease in dogs is treatable, and for more information and an overview of its contents, visit the American Heartworm Society's website (HeartwormSociety.org). However, treatment takes time to complete and can be expensive for some families. Additionally, this parasite can cause permanent lung and heart damage in dogs, even if the problem is diagnosed early.
Finally, the treatment itself can cause worrying side effects. However, we still strongly recommend that any dog that tests positive for heartworm infection be treated appropriately. You may read about treatment options that “slowly kill” the heartworm, but it can take months or even years for the heartworm parasite to die, and not only is it not guaranteed to be effective, but it takes a long time for the heartworm to die. Therefore, it is not recommended. Parasites can cause further permanent damage to your pet's organs.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for heartworm disease in cats.
Thankfully, this disease is easily preventable. You can choose from topical, oral, or injectable prevention methods. As with everything in life, these options have pros and cons, but your veterinary medical team can help you find the best product for your baby and you.
Here in Texas, it is very important to know that you need to take precautions year-round. Heartworm prevention is only available through your veterinarian or with the approval of your veterinarian's office with a valid annual physical exam and heartworm test. We also recommend using preventive mosquito repellent products to prevent heartworm infections.
We recommend that you discuss heartworm disease with your veterinary medical team and evaluate your lifestyle to determine the best method of heartworm prevention for your baby. I hope this information is useful to someone. Also, please help us spread the word about this important and deadly parasite so that we can do our best to reduce the high infection rates we see in Texas. Thank you to everyone who took the time to be with me and a big abrasso to everyone!
Dr. Josh owns Ira Veterinary Boutique Hospital located at 14380 Marsh Lane in St. Louis. 110 in Addison. Call 972-738-1111 or visit us. IslaVet.com.
