Protect your dog from preventable disease: heartworms
Statistically, about 6 percent of dogs in the United States contract heartworms. Unfortunately, that number is much higher in Florida, and the percentage skyrockets among Manatee County's homeless dogs. In fact, over 33 percent of the dogs at our county shelter are heartworm positive.
Heartworms in dogs is caused by a parasite that is transmitted solely by mosquitoes. All dogs are susceptible to heartworm infection. The moment a dog is bitten by an infected mosquito, larvae transfers into their bloodstream, where it incubates for several days before being transported through the bloodstream into the heart.
In a little over six months, the infective larvae mature into adult worms. Once in the right ventricle, the parasites duplicate in number, eventually causing damage to a dog's vital organs. The initial symptom is coughing as the parasites find their way into the lungs, veins and liver.
Heartworm disease is preventable.
Your dogs should be tested by your veterinarian for heartworm infection before starting a preventive program. Testing ensures that your pet is free of adult heartworms. The American Heartworm Society (AHS) estimates that only 50 percent of dogs in areas where heartworm occurs are actually on heartworm preventives.
Fortunately for the wonderful adoptable dogs at MCAS, heartworm infection is highly treatable with a drug that is injected into the muscle. Over 500 MCAS dogs have been saved over the past three years thanks to Animal Network's No Kill Medical Fund, which funds the county's heartworm treatment program. Without this fund, many treatable dogs would have to be euthanized.
Please be sure your dogs are protected. If you want to help save the life of a heartworm-positive dog, stop by Animal Services and adopt one or donate on the webpage mymanatee.org/pets.
Debra Starr, Animal Network
Palmetto
This story was originally published March 22, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Protect your dog from preventable disease: heartworms ."