Dear Dr. John,
Last 12 months, I adopted a pitbull combine from down South. She was nonetheless underneath a 12 months. Paperwork detailed her vaccine historical past and that she had been examined unfavorable for heartworm illness. When she arrived, my veterinarian instructed further vaccines for Lyme and Leptospirosis. She was additionally began on heartworm preventative in addition to flea and tick preventatives. She has been in good well being and adjusting properly. Yesterday, my vet gave her booster vaccines and did a blood check. Imagine my shock when my vet instructed me that she had heartworm illness! I noticed that she does cough when she is operating or very lively. How do canines get heartworm within the first place? I’m instructed the therapy could be a bit pricey and necessitates a protocol over 3-4 months. What do you advocate? She was examined earlier than she got here to me, and it was unfavorable. How may that be? J.F.
Dear J.F.,
Dogs get heartworm from mosquitoes that transmit the heartworm from one canine to a different by biting them when ingesting canine blood. Heartworm illness is discovered throughout the nation however is extra prevalent in hotter areas since chilly frosts up North stop mosquitoes from flourishing by the chilly months. In the South or hotter climates, if a canine shouldn’t be on heartworm preventative medicine they invariably will find yourself with heartworm. Clinical indicators embody shortness of breath and coughing, particularly on exertion, very like you will have seen.
My guess is that your canine was both not likely examined or examined however by no means had preventatives earlier than coming to you. She could have contracted heartworm both simply earlier than or quickly after the precise testing finished there. The therapy does value a good quantity however is commonly extremely profitable. It does run a course of three months to deal with adopted up by further testing. Throughout, train restriction is essential. I might inform the group from which you adopted the canine, and I might work together with your veterinarian to have her handled so she will be able to have a protracted wholesome life.
Dr. John de Jong owns and operates the Boston Mobile Veterinary Clinic.He could be reached at 781-899-9994.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”
