Canine Filariasis: Causes And Treatment
You may have heard about canine filariasis; but you may not know what this term refers to. We will tell you everything you need to know about this disease that affects our pets: what it is, how to diagnose it and how to treat it.
What is canine filariasis?
The scientific name of the parasite that causes this disease is Dirofilaria immitis . Its effects should not be underestimated as they are potentially fatal and very serious.
The parasite itself is a white worm that can develop up to 30 centimeters in length. It affects the animal’s heart and lungs. Therefore, it is commonly known as the heartworm.
The way in which a dog becomes infected with this worm is through the bite of a mosquito. A mosquito that has bitten a dog that already has the worm absorbs the microfilariae through its blood. Then the worms develop in the mosquito’s gut; which can then infect other dogs or other animals.
Once the worm larvae have entered the dog’s mosquito bite; they take between 3 and 4 months to develop. When they reproduce, they create many larvae, which will block the heart and make it difficult for blood to flow to the vital organs; like the kidneys and the liver, which will have their function impaired.
In the case of puppies, they will only have this disease if the mother is already a carrier of it; and they will always be worms of smaller size and length. But obviously the puppies will become direct transmitters of the disease.
Each dog can contain up to 300 worms in its body; that they can survive for between five and seven years; until they end the dog’s life by cardiac arrest.
Canine Filariasis Symptoms
To know if your dog suffers from this disease, it is essential to know the symptoms and thus be able to act quickly. However, as we said before; larvae take about four months to develop, so symptoms won’t be seen until six months after the dog is infected.
Having spent so much time, the most normal thing is that the dog’s organs are already heavily affected, which makes regular visits to the vet vital; as certain diseases can be diagnosed earlier.
These are the most common symptoms:
- Cough
- extreme tiredness
- abnormal breathing
- weak pulse
- Less appetite
- belly swelling
- Tachycardia
- Bleeding from the mouth and nose
- pale gums
- dark urine
If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, don’t hesitate to go to the vet immediately. The speed with which you act can save your pet’s life.
How to Diagnose Canine Filariasis
Through simple tests such as an X-ray, this disease can be recognized ; this will allow you to see possible anomalies in the animal’s heart. However, other tests such as blood tests or the ELISA serological test; which is performed with a blood centrifuge, may be needed.
An electrocardiogram would be performed to track the electrical currents the heart generates. As a general rule; this will be a very important test and will greatly influence the treatment that will be administered to each dog.
Canine Filariasis Treatment
According to each dog, the treatment will be different from one case to another. It all depends on the state of the animal, and how advanced the disease is. Several decades ago, arsenic was the main component of the medication with which canine filariasis was treated; although the side effects were devastating.
Today, with advances in medicine and technology, medications have changed: side effects are almost non-existent and healing success has increased to 95% effectiveness.
Treatment will focus on killing heartworm; but it will have to be combined with the pet’s bed rest. Resting the animal will allow the medicine to work and the worms to die slowly. If he moves too much, the worms can flee to other parts of the body and escape treatment.
We know how much you care about your friend’s health and that seeing them sick breaks your heart. Calm down, even this serious illness is curable. Just do your part.
