By Heidi Clayton
Recently, I was told by a client that it was suggested to her that she not give her dog a heartworm preventative because heartworms do not appear in New Jersey. I was a bit alarmed that anyone would suggest such a thing.
According to the US Food & Drug Administration, heartworms occur along the Gulf and Atlantic Coasts from Florida to New Jersey. In fact, they have been found in all 50 states. Heartworms can be fatal to your dog and there are a number of preventatives available that will all but erase the chance of them becoming infected.
Heartworms are foot-long worms that inhabit the heart, lungs, and associated blood vessels. They multiply easily. Once a dog is infected, they cause lung disease, heart failure when the blood can no longer pass freely through the dog’s heart, and as a result permanent damage to other organs as well.
Heartworms are spread via mosquitoes. While whoever is suggesting that heartworms are not found in this area, I am 100 percent certain that we do have an ample supply of mosquitoes that have access to biting feral cats, wolves, coyotes, and foxes. Those animals all have the potential to carry heartworms. When a mosquito feeds from an infected animal, the blood consumed is filled with baby heartworms called microfilaria. They then get passed along to their next bite victim.
I suppose that the incidences of heartworms could be low in our area, but consider the rate at which rescue dogs are brought up from Southern states, which is quite high. The rate of heartworms and the potential for spreading heartworms is much higher in that area. Also, think about whether you travel with your dog to areas where heartworms are plentiful. That would expose your unprotected dog to the worm.
Symptoms of a heartworm infection include coughing, shortness of breath or exercise intolerance, discoloration in the gums or skin, nose bleeds, and spitting up blood.
Left untreated, dogs infected with heartworms will die within a few weeks or months. Prompt treatment is essential to curing the dog. Treatment will include a series of injections and may also include a round of doxycycline to combat a known bacteria that the heartworm carries.
The treatment is expensive and hard on the dog, who will need complete rest as they shed the worms. Hospitalization depends on how severe the damage is. Factors include whether your dog can breathe on their own or if they have heart failure.
All of this is easily prevented by giving your dog a monthly heartworm preventative. Heartgard, Simparica, Interceptor, Tri-Heart, Nexgard, and Sentinel are just a few brand names that come in the form of a monthly pill. Some of these products also provide protection against other parasites as well.
I personally feel it is highly irresponsible to not protect your dog against heartworms. Living in Mays Landing, I have seen a coyote in the woods behind my house. Just last week, I saw a fox walking along the top of my fence. Mosquito season is fast upon us, so keep your dog safe from this deadly worm. Speak to your vet about the best heartworm preventative for your dog.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at heidi@fouronthefloordogtraining.net.
Heidi Clayton started Four On the Floor Dog Training to provide positive, reward-based dog training in South Jersey. She breeds, trains and shows bull terriers under the SoraBully’s Bull Terriers kennel name. Email questions to heidi@fouronthefloordogtraining.net or learn more at https://fouronthefloordogtraining.net
