heartworm test

[Mandz]

Ok this may be a dumb question but

I have been a good girl and rescued a 'pound hound' - she has had a health check at the vets and she said that before I give her heartworm medication that she would like to do a heart worm test.

Does it hurt them ???

I know maybe a dumb question but I have only been owning dogs for 2 years and never had a pound dog. Is she wanting to do the test because the dog I got is extremely thin ie - ribs and hips etc showing or is the vet being cautious???

Thanks for your input

Mandz
x

 

[AmyMay]

It's a simple blood test I believe.

 

[JulieL]

what's a heart worm?

 

[at work]

We don't have heartworm in the UK (we are lucky sometimes!) They do in some parts of the USA.

When I was there heartworm tests (a simple blood test, to look at the blood on a slide under microscope) was carried out on dogs which hadn't been treated before starting to give medication because if you medicate a dog which has heartworm you can kill the worms that are present off all at once, causing them to literally die and be carried through the bloodstream to the heart and clog it up - killling said dog

So it won't be (just) because he's thin but because if he has heartworms in his system he needs a different treatment before the preventative is started

 

[KarynK]

Heartworm is a parasitic infestation delivered by a mosquito bite. The worms grow and multiply, infesting the chambers on the right side of the heart and the arteries in the lungs. They can also lodge in the veins of the liver and the veins entering the heart.

It used to be confined to southern states in the USA and areas around the equator, but since international travelling of dogs has grown heartworm has spread worldwide, including some cases reported from imported dogs not subject to a prevention programe in the UK. So it could well establish itself in the UK in the future with a couple of infected dogs and a local mosquito population!

“The first sign of heartworm infestation may not manifest for a year after infection, and even then the soft cough that increases with exercise may be dismissed as unimportant by the owner. But the cough worsens and the dog may actually faint from exertion; he tires easily, is weak and listless, loses weight and condition, and may cough up blood. Breathing becomes more difficult as the disease progresses. The progression is traumatic: the dog’s quality of life diminishes drastically and he can no longer retrieve a Frisbee or take a long walk in the park without respiratory distress. Congestive heart failure ensues, and the once-active, outgoing pet is in grave danger.”

Treatment can be successful if the problem is identified in time but prevention is far better and Moxidectin is one form.
To find out more have a look here

http://www.heartwormsociety.org/

 

[Mandz]

Thanks for the help guys.

The vet has said that we should do the test just to rule out infection and if clear she can start medication.

I was just concerned as I have never taken on a rescue dog let alone one as thin as this one is but I am going to give it a try and see how we go.

It turns out that she is a rottie pure bred although at this stage it is a little hard to tell how big she will be - her paws are not that big so am hoping that she will remain small (ish).

Mandz
xx