Heartworms

Heartworm disease (Dirofilaria immitis) disease is spread by mosquitoes and has the potential to cause heart failure and death of your pet. More than 65% of the dog population in Australia lives in high heartworm expectancy areas.

It may only take a single bite from a carrier mosquito to infect your dog. The parasite larvae move through the tissues beneath the skin. These larvae then migrate to the heart and adjacent blood vessels of the lungs, where they grow into adult worms. In the early stages of heartworm infection, there may be no outward signs of disease. As the heartworm block the circulation from the heart disease progresses. Tiredness after exercise and a slight cough are the first signs of heartworm disease. When left without treatment the outcome will be a fatal heart attack.

Luckily, heartworm is easily prevented. Puppies should start their monthly or daily tablet from 8 weeks of age. From 6 months of age the tablets can be continued until the annual C5 vaccination is due when both the C5 and SR12 (heartworm) vaccinations can be given synchronously. Alternatively the S12 vaccination can be given any time after 6 months of age. The S12 vaccination lasts for one year.

Dogs that have lapsed their tablet or SR12 annual vaccination must have a heartworm blood test prior to recommencing the heartworm prevention treatment, because dogs already infected with heartworm may react fatally to heartworm prevention.

It is now very easy to prevent heartworm disease in a single yearly vaccination, called the SR12 vaccination. Once-a-year heartworm prevention is administered by Dr. Marshall and takes away the risk of forgetting daily or monthly dosing. Simply arrange to treat your dog as apart of the annual health check, and you can forget about heartworms for a whole year.

The SR12 vaccination is suitable for all breeds of dogs from 9 months of age. It can be given from 6 months of age for at least 9 months protection, due to the very high growth rate of puppies. From 9 months of age it provides a full year's protection.

Copyright © 2002 Rob Marshall, All Rights Reserved.