{"id":3402,"date":"2018-08-07T09:00:14","date_gmt":"2018-08-07T08:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.travall.com\/en-gb\/?p=3402"},"modified":"2020-03-04T13:32:41","modified_gmt":"2020-03-04T13:32:41","slug":"12-symptoms-indicate-heartworm-dogs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.travall.com\/en-gb\/12-symptoms-indicate-heartworm-dogs\/","title":{"rendered":"12 symptoms that could indicate heartworm in dogs"},"content":{"rendered":"

The weather\u2019s warmer, you\u2019re able to spend more time outside with your dog, and all is good with the world. \u00a0You\u2019re in the garden ready to enjoy a relaxing evening and then you hear that all-too-familiar high-pitched buzzing sound. Yes, they\u2019re back \u2013 mosquitoes! \u00a0For some people, mosquitoes are merely an irritation with bites leaving itchy welts on the skin. Many others fear the health issues that these tiny insects can bring in the form of malaria, West Nile or the Zika virus. Although many of us think about how mosquitoes affect humans, we sometimes overlook the harm they can do to pets in the form of heartworm in dogs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Heartworm is not highly prevalent in the UK and is typically only found in dogs that have been imported. \u00a0However, many people are bringing overseas rescue dogs into their families. We do have mosquitos buzzing around in Britain \u2019s warmer weather, but more and more people are taking their dogs on holiday to warmer climates, where they are more prone to mosquito exposure.\u00a0 Taking note of the symptoms of this disease is becoming far more important for UK dog owners than ever before. <\/span><\/p>\n

Heartworm in dogs is a serious disease affecting the heart, the lungs, and the blood vessels of the dog and ultimately it results in death. Heartworm is a parasitic roundworm that affects a dog following a mosquito bite. \u00a0It is the only way that dogs can get heartworm \u2013 a dog cannot catch it from another dog. After a mosquito bite, the larvae migrate from the bite site to the heart, lungs, and blood vessels and this takes approximately 6-7 months. During this 6-7 months, the larvae develop into adult heartworms. \u00a0These adults then make their homes in these organs and blood vessels and start to reproduce. Adult heartworms can grow up to 12 inches long and can live for 7 years. A dog can have as many as 250 worms in his system. If a dog has been bitten by an infected mosquito, it is likely that there will no symptoms for 7 months.<\/span><\/p>\n

Symptoms of heartworm in dogs<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

After 7 months, you may start to see symptoms suggesting that your dog may have heartworm. \u00a0Symptoms may include the following:<\/span><\/p>\n