Post by DogGoneGood on Jan 26, 2008 2:46:36 GMT -5
CANINE HEARTWORM
May 12, 1991
1. Up until now British Columbia was officially heartworm free.
2. Heartworm has now been diagnosed in ten dogs in the Osoyoos area.
These dogs had never left British Columbia.
One dog died with over two hundred worms in the heart.
Nine other dogs are being treated.
3. The source of heartworm is infected dogs, coyotes, and foxes.
The disease is spread by mosquitoes.
4. It takes six months for the tiny microfilaria spread by the bite of a moquito to develop into large adult worms in the dog's heart.
An infected dog can have hundreds of worms as large as 12 inches long.
Eventually these worms cause heart failure. The symptoms are loss of energy, coughing, collapse, and death. In the early stages there are no outward symptoms.
5. We do not know yet what the risk level is for dogs in the Salmon Arm area.
6. A simple blood test is available to check if your dog already has the adult worms in the heart.
Test results are usually available in 24 hours. Please phone the clinic the following day after 1:00PM.
If the test is normal your dog should be started on once a month preventative tablets (Heartgard 30) from JULY 1 to NOVEMBER 1.
If the test shows heartworms are present, the dog must have a complete physical exam and further blood tests prior to starting treatment to remove the adult worms from the heart. Treatment consists of two days of intravenous drugs. Once the adult worms have been removed the dog can then be started on the preventative tablets.
7. Ideally dogs should have a blood test every spring (After MAY 1).
The preventative tablets are then started on JULY 1.
NOTE: THe preventative tablets (Heartgard 30) are for PREVENTION only. There is no benefit in giving Heartgard to dogs that already have adult worms in their heart - in fact it may make them sick.
Heartgard should only be given to healthy dogs.
Shuswap Veterinary Clinic
Dr. Gary Cruikshank
Dr. John Sudbury
Dr. Len Lazzarotto
Dr. James Clark
Dr. Bernie Weare
Dr. Richard Smith
Salmon Arm, B.C., Canada
Dog Gone Good Training Forum Members, Please Note: This was taken from the Veterinary Clinic in Salmon Arm, B.C., and is quite a few years outdated. If you are curious about having your own dog tested for Heartworm and you live outside the Salmon Arm area, please contact your Veterinarian Office for information on their local office hours and testing times, as well as perventative and medical treatment for Heartworms that your specific Veterinary Clinic might provide.
