Heartworms in dogs could be scary, but it is not a life sentence for your furry pal if the disease is identified early and treated with heartworm treatment. Because of their high contagiousness and fast spread, heartworms in dogs can be fatal. You should examine your dog for heartworms and start therapy immediately.
Signs Your Dog Has Heartworm Disease
However, suppose a dog is not diagnosed or treated by a veterinarian within six months after being infected. It may not show any signs—dog health worries, such as diabetes and hyperactivity, may be extra noticeable in pups and active dogs.
Even so, dog owners have to know heartworm illness’s warning signs and symptoms. Heartworm ailment can be split into four stages, each with its own signs and symptoms.
Stage 1: Relentless Coughing
It is common for a dog to start coughing if heartworms have penetrated the lungs and started increasing in the lung and surrounding arteries– dry, unproductive coughing, which is noticeable after exertion. Coughing fits in dogs can be so serious that they trigger dizziness or perhaps passing out in particular canines.
A dog coughing just once is not a cause for worry, but owners need to speak to a vet cardiologist if the coughing aggravates or continues. Because heartworm creates dry coughing, the symptoms are right away obvious.
Stage 2: Lethargy
Lethargy is the second sign of heartworm infection in dogs. When your dog displays lethargy, it may stop playing, opt for strolls, and even eat. You must take your dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible if you see any of these signs and symptoms.
If left neglected, it can result in canine depression and other serious health problems. Dogs become sluggish when they lose interest in activities and only move a minimal amount. When this occurs, they are more likely to become obese because they no more participate in physical activity.
Stage 3: Panting and Shallow Breathing
If your dog is dealing with heartworms, it will be hard to obtain the blood and oxygen they need. Additionally, fluid might accumulate in and around blood vessels, making it harder to breathe because of parasites causing their way into the lungs and limiting airflow. This is painful and dangerous for dogs, who depend on living to survive.
Stage 4: Fainting
A trip to a pet hospital in Stroudsburg is in order if your dog suddenly falls unconscious without warning. At this moment, the parasite populace has increased, destroying the dog’s body. Blood arteries and veins can start to seep with the fluid accumulated in the lung.
This is hazardous because the fluid can swiftly obstruct blood arteries and create fainting and collapse. Your dog might be nearing the end of its life if this is the only behavior you notice in them now.
Final Thoughts
All of your dog’s demands are met by you. The only means these pets can tell us something is wrong is by sending signals to our bodies because they can not communicate verbally. Heartworm in dogs can cause pain and even death if the parasite spreads out too swiftly. Please call or bring your dog to an animal hospital like Barton Heights Veterinary Hospital if you find these indicators.
