Pets
Getting to the Heart of Heartworm
By
Mar 14, 2007, 22:28

(NC)-Dogs certainly are our best friends. There are more than five million canine companions across Canada, and a third of all households own at least one dog. While Fido can provide you with more than 15 years of love and companionship, certain everyday activities carry more risk than many dog owners are aware of.

Most dogs love the outdoors. In fact, 90 per cent of Canadians take their dogs outside on a regular basis for exercise and fresh air, particularly in the spring, summer and fall when they visit off-leash parks, go to the cottage or camping and even on extended wilderness adventures. One of the most common pests outdoors during this time is mosquitoes, which pose a threat to both you and your furry friend.

Heartworm, a debilitating and eventually life-threatening parasite for dogs, is spread through mosquito bites. Just one bite from an infected mosquito can spread the parasite. While symptoms of the illness typically don't appear for about six months, when the adult parasites have reached their reproductive destination - the dog's heart, the effects can be devastating: the parasites can survive up to seven years, causing severe damage to the heart, lungs and liver.

Dogs should be tested each spring for heartworm disease at their annual veterinary check-up. The disease can be treated, but treatment protocols are lengthy, and often pose extra dangers to the dog's health. A preferable solution is to protect dogs from heartworm infection before they come into contact with mosquitoes.

Talk with your veterinarian about using a topically-applied broad spectrum preventative treatment, such as Revolution, which provides effective protection against heartworm, as well as other parasites such as fleas, ticks and ear mites. By taking appropriate preventative steps you and your dog can continue to enjoy the outdoors for many years to come.

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