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The normal host of the heartworm is the dog.
Cats can occasionally become affected as well.
Spread through the bite of the mosquito, the
heartworm takes approximately 6-7 months to develop
to adulthood.
Detection of this parasite is through a blood
sample. Most tests are run in the veterinarian's
office in under 10 minutes. Infection can range
from mild to severe. Both groups of animals should
be placed on an appropriate dose of
heartworm preventative immediately, followed by
treatment for the adult worms.
Typically, the treatment involves a series
of 2 or 3 injections given into the muscle. The
three injection protocol is selected for the severely
affected patient, and injections are spaced one month
apart. Two injections given in consecutive days,
can be done for milder infections. Sometimes X-rays
of the chest are performed to determine severity of
infection.
Always the patient is monitored and recommended to
limit exercise for 3 - 4 weeks after the treatments
are administered.
Cats are more difficult to diagnose than dogs
with heartworm disease, as they are an un-natural
host for this parasite. Because of this, blood tests
now can only reflect whether or not the cat has been
exposed to the parasite - rarely does the blood
test show "active" infection.
Affected cats suffer from difficulty breathing, and
require treatments geared against their immune system's
attack against this parasite. Unfortunately, this disease
is most often fatal in the cat.
Prevention
of heartworm disease is recommended for all pets
exposed to mosquitoes.
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