Your dog used to get excited when you grabbed the leash for the daily walk once upon a time, but lately they just mope on the couch and don’t move an inch when you entice them to play. If this sounds like your dog, book an appointment to get a veterinarian’s opinion.
Heartworm symptoms in dogs can manifest as seemingly small issues like coughing and fatigue but these awful parasites are harbingers of death and contagion without prompt treatment. Penny Paws Animal Clinic has treated numerous heartworm cases in our treasured patients. Our veterinarian in DeSoto, TX, explores the early warning signs that your dog has contracted these icky pests.
How Do Heartworms Infect Your Pets?
Heartworms are deadly parasites that use mammals as hosts; dogs are their natural and preferred vectors. Mosquitoes carry the fatal larvae from critter to critter.
These annoying pests carry and inject the larvae into new hosts when they drink blood. The larvae transform into disgusting, foot-long monstrosities after entering your dog’s bloodstream. The adult worms then overtake and reproduce in the animal’s heart, lungs and connected vessels.
Heartworm prevention medications are the optimal approach, as a heartworm infection has lasting consequences even after it is eradicated. You can still prolong your dog’s life and protect them from discomfort and poor life quality by seeking treatment.
What Are Some Early Heartworm Symptoms in Dogs?
You may not notice any obvious symptoms at first. However, early heartworm symptoms in dogs typically appear within a couple of years after the initial infection. Keep an eye out for these signs.
#1 Your Dog Has a Dry, Hacking Cough
These nasty, deadly little worms reproduce in their host’s lungs. They block the dog’s air passages and cause respiratory inflammation. You’ll start noticing dry, unproductive canine coughing especially during exercise.
They might hack every once in a while or have drawn-out coughing fits that they can’t control. These coughs don’t produce any phlegm or mucus.
#2 They Don’t Get Excited About Exercise
Most dogs feel thrilled to join their guardians for walks around the block or romps in the yard. This won’t be the case as the heartworm disease progresses. Our patients often have little interest in fetch, training sessions or playtime with their favorite balls and beloved bones.
Your dog might move slowly or lag behind when you do manage to harness him for outdoor activities. Constant, excessive napping accompanies this exercise intolerance.
#3 You Feel Afraid for Your Dog’s Poor Appetite and Weight Loss
Your dog seems to drop pounds by the minute and has zero interest in its food. Most dogs feel excited by treats and bowls filled with their favorite foods or healthy table scraps. Your dog, on the other hand, might only sniff at their former favorites without savoring them.
A weak appetite can cause rapid weight loss in dogs. At this point, the heartworm disease is progressing so a vet appointment is crucial to protect your dog.
#4 Your Dog Shows Symptoms of Increased Allergies
One of the more overlooked heartworm symptoms in dogs is new allergies. These reactions aren’t true allergies in the traditional sense.
Your dog’s immune system is so compromised that it constantly sneezes, wheezes, or scratches that one itchy spot. You can’t pinpoint and get rid of the trigger because it simply doesn’t exist. Your furry friend is just reacting to the parasites overtaking its body.
#5 Their Chest Looks Super Abnormal
The heartworms take up more and more space as they grow and multiply, and your dog’s chest swells to accommodate them. You feel that it looks abnormally rounded and pushes downward. This distension appears different from typical weight gain which tends to disperse more evenly across the body. The mass is concentrated in the lower chest and upper stomach.
#6 The Breathing Patterns Are Concerning
It’s perfectly normal for a dog to pant and breathe rapidly during hot weather or intense physical activity. He might pant when he’s nervous or stimulated. But respiratory distress without anxiety triggers is one of the heartworm symptoms in dogs.
Does your pet breathe hard when lying in an air-conditioned room? Reach out to your veterinarian to determine the cause of their labored breathing. Heartworms are a primary culprit of respiratory symptoms.
#7 Your Dog May Suddenly Faint or Collapse
Heartworm infestations limit oxygen movement and destroy red blood cells. This puts extreme stress on the circulatory and respiratory systems. These extremely nasty symptoms eventually progress from fatigue or complete apathy and lethargy in dogs.
The animal will eventually escalate to sudden collapse and they might even faint in some cases, becoming completely unresponsive as their body struggles to supply sufficient blood and oxygen. Your pet needs immediate medical attention from an emergency veterinarian at this point.
Can You Cure Heartworm Infestations?
Fortunately, a veterinarian can treat heartworm disease. The sooner they test and diagnose your pet, the better the prognosis. They’ll take a blood sample from your dog’s front leg to detect heartworm antigens.
If your dog tests positive, they will undergo a year-long treatment schedule where your vet will prescribe different medications. Ensure that you complete the following tasks within this timeframe.
- Keep your dog as still and calm as possible for a whole year and don’t put any additional stress on your dog’s respiratory and cardiovascular systems. The worms could spread further from intense circulation.
- Don’t forget the complications that come with severe heartworm disease! Dogs with more extreme symptoms often suffer from comorbid complications so work with your vet to stabilize these issues and make them more comfortable.
- Attend each check-up for treatment updates. Your vet monitors your dog’s condition and adjusts its medications and you must attend these appointments so your pet will heal.
Penny Paws Animal Clinic Can Craft a Heartworm Treatment Plan To Help Your Dog Thrive
Have you noticed any of these heartworm symptoms in the dogs under your care? Ask our veterinarians about testing for heartworm infestations in each of your pets. Contact Penny Paws Animal Clinic for an appointment at our clinic or arrange a visit from our mobile vet in DeSoto, Texas.