Understanding Heartworm in Dogs: A Comprehensive Guide
The best way to tackle heartworm disease is through prevention. Several highly effective heartworm preventatives are available and should be utilized as the first line of defense against this disease.
August 01, 2023
Every pet owner's nightmare is the thought of their beloved friend falling ill. When it comes to heartworm disease, this fear can feel all too real. But fear not, we at CodaPet are here to guide you through this challenging topic. This comprehensive guide will arm you with knowledge about heartworm disease in dogs - from understanding its nature, identifying symptoms, through diagnostic testing, treatment, and most importantly, prevention. By investing your time in understanding this disease, you will be well-equipped to protect your pet and ensure their health and happiness.
The Nature of Heartworm Disease
What is Heartworm?
Heartworm disease is a severe and potentially fatal condition, predominantly affecting dogs. It is caused by parasitic worms, Dirofilaria immitis or D. immitis, which reside in the heart, lungs, and associated blood vessels of infected animals. The adult worms can grow to a foot long and inflict significant damage to internal organs, impacting the pet's overall health and quality of life. Dogs, as natural hosts for heartworms, are needed for the parasites to mature and reproduce, which can lead to lung damage, heart failure, and other organ damage.
The severity of the disease caused by these parasites, along with their capacity to thrive and multiply dramatically if untreated, makes heartworm disease a significant concern for pet owners. The disease is pervasive, affecting even indoor pets.
Transmission of Heartworm
Heartworm is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Heartworms cannot be transmitted directly from one dog to another without such a bite from an infected mosquito. Dogs (and sometimes other canids) are the primary host for heartworm, while mosquitoes are an intermediate or secondary host. Both are crucial for the completion of the life cycle but the worms spend a majority of their life in the dog, where they reach sexual maturity. To further understand the transmission of heartworm disease we must look into the life cycle of a heartworm.
The Life Cycle of Heartworm
Understanding the life cycle of a heartworm is essential to comprehend the nature of heartworm disease testing and prevention. The cycle begins when an adult female heartworm in an infected dog releases offspring, called microfilariae, into the dog's bloodstream. A mosquito taking a blood meal from the infected dog picks up these microfilariae, which then develop into infective larvae within the mosquito.
The maturation of the microfilariae into larvae within the mosquito takes approximately two weeks, then the larvae are ready to infect a new dog. Upon biting, the larvae within the mosquito’s mouth-parts enter the bitten dog's bloodstream. Over the period of about six months, these larvae develop into adult heartworms, mate, and release new microfilarial offspring into the infected dog’s bloodstream ready for a mosquito to pick them up and continue the cycle.
Common Misconceptions about Heartworm
There are a handful of misconceptions surrounding heartworm disease, so let’s set the record straight and keep your beloved pet safe.
Misconception #1: Heartworms affect only outdoor dogs.
I don’t know about you, but I have often encountered mosquitoes indoors. All it takes is one bite from an infected mosquito to set off a heartworm infection in your dog, regardless of whether or not your dog is outdoors.
Misconception #2: Heartworm disease is not a risk in colder climates.
The incidence of heartworm disease is traditionally thought of in warmer climates, especially the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, along the Mississippi River, and its major tributaries. While it is more prevalent in these areas, heartworm disease has been diagnosed in all 50 states. This widespread incidence can be attributed to factors like climate variations, traveling pets, and populations of carrier animals.The Companion Animal Parasite Council puts out clickable prevalence maps showing the incidence of heartworm disease throughout the US.
Misconception #3: Heartworm disease is not life-threatening.
This is a dangerous misconception. In truth, heartworm disease can cause lung disease, heart failure, and major damage to other organs, or even death if left untreated. Furthermore, it is potentially fatal if an infected dog is given regular heartworm preventatives, more on that later as we discuss treatments.
Recognizing the Symptoms
Prevention is always the best policy but identifying early signs of heartworm disease in dogs is important. The clinical signs can vary based on the stage of the disease, activity level of the dog, and the number of adult worms. Symptoms range from none at all to severe, or even death. Here, we've divided the symptoms into three categories: early, progressing, and severe symptoms. Additionally, we provide a list of warning signs to look out for. While these symptoms can be indicative of heartworm, they can also suggest other health problems. It's important to have any changes in your dog's health or behavior checked by a veterinarian.
In the early stages of heartworm disease, dogs may show few to no symptoms at all. However, that does not mean the disease is not present. Once the dog becomes infected, it takes 5-7 months for the heartworm to migrate to the heart and mature into an adult. During this timeframe, the dog will not show outward signs of illness. As the adult grows and reproduces some possible early signs may include a mild persistent cough, fatigue after moderate activity, or a decrease in appetite. Weight loss might also be seen but usually isn't common until the disease has progressed. These symptoms might be subtle and easy to overlook as normal behaviors or slight health issues. If you notice any such changes in your pet, it's always wise to consult your veterinarian.
As the disease progresses, the symptoms become more severe and evident. The worms continue to grow and lengthen, females can grow to a foot long, and to reproduce. The presence of these foreign “objects” cause the dog’s immune system to launch a response progressing through inflammation and scarring. As this occurs, your dog may experience increasing reluctance to exercise, fatigue after light activity, and a more noticeable loss of appetite. There may also be a worsening cough. You may notice that your dog begins to look unwell or 'off.' These signs may not be specific to heartworm disease but are always reasons to seek help from your veterinarian.
In the severe stages, dogs may exhibit signs of severe cardiac distress due to heart failure or blockage. Symptoms include a swollen belly due to excess fluid in the abdomen, labored breathing, pale gums, and dark, bloody, coffee-colored urine, or acute collapse and death. At this stage, the disease is life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Even with intervention dogs may not survive.
Warning Signs to Look Out For
Because heartworm disease will ultimately lead to death if left untreated it is important to not brush off symptoms that feel minor or insignificant. Please seek veterinary evaluation if your dog seems easily fatigued with light or moderate activity, or has a persistent cough even if the cough seems soft and dry.
Diagnosing Heartworm in Dogs
As with many diseases, early detection can significantly increase the chances of recovery and can minimize organ damage from a heartworm infection. Let’s turn our attention to how the disease is diagnosed.
Consultation and Physical Examination
The initial step towards diagnosing heartworm in dogs involves a thorough consultation and physical examination by your trusted veterinarian. During this consultation, the veterinarian will ask about your dog's health history, any noticeable changes in behavior, and observe closely for clinical signs that could indicate disease.
The vet may be particularly interested in any recent travel and the home environment especially as it relates to possible mosquito exposure. A detailed physical examination can reveal signs such as a heart murmur or unusual lung sounds which are often associated with heartworm (or other) disease. The presence of a swollen belly, due to fluid accumulation, is indicative of a serious condition and may be due to advanced stages of heartworm disease.
Blood tests are another vital part of the diagnostic process for finding heartworms in dogs. These are typically administered by your vet using a small blood sample from your pet. Most frequently, the blood is screened for the presence of heartworm proteins (antigens), produced by adult female heartworms. It is a reliable method used to identify the presence of adult heartworms. Another blood test traces microfilariae in your dog's bloodstream, indicative of a heartworm infection. The dog’s history will play a crucial role in testing and interpretation. For example a dog who was potentially exposed to heartworm a month ago will not return a positive test for adult antigen as it takes 5-7 months for adults to mature. Therefore it is often necessary to repeat testing at 6 month intervals to establish a true negative. As you can see, heartworm infections can be present even in dogs appearing outwardly healthy, making proper use of these blood tests critical in the detection process.
Imaging tests are often used in cases where the disease has gone unnoticed for a longer period of time. In such instances, determining the extent of damage is as important as definitively diagnosing the cause. Diagnostic imaging may include x-rays and ultrasound of the heart (echocardiogram). Radiographs or X-rays can be taken somewhat quickly and provide an image of your dog's heart and lungs. The images help the veterinarian detect any changes in the size or shape of the heart or anomalies in the lung's vascular pattern that might signal heartworm disease. Ultrasonography of the heart, or echocardiography, can show real-time moving images of the interior of the heart, and can show the adult heartworms moving. This imaging test requires the patient to sit still for a longer period of time but allows for a precise location and estimation of the worm burden, helping guide treatment plans.
Confirmatory tests are done to clarify any ambiguity stemming from earlier testing. These can be particularly useful in cases where a dog’s infection is hard to detect, dogs with low worm burdens, or in the early stages of the disease (where microfilariae are present but adults are not yet).These tests use labor-intensive methods to concentrate the blood samples and detect microfilariae. Confirmatory tests are important to assure the correct diagnosis before your dog embarks on specific treatment plans. As heartworm treatments can be challenging and require hospitalization, the accuracy in diagnosis is extremely important.
Treatment for Heartworm in Dogs
Addressing a heartworm diagnosis requires knowledge, understanding, and patience. Treatment protocols may vary depending on the severity of the infection and the overall health of your pet. The goal is to rid your beloved pet of adult and immature worms while avoiding a shock to your pet’s system.
Preparation for Treatment
Upon a heartworm diagnosis, your veterinarian will need to carry out a thorough evaluation of your dog's health to craft the most appropriate treatment plan. Comprehensive examinations might include blood work, x-rays, urine analysis, and specific heartworm tests. These evaluations help determine the severity of the infection and the safest treatment approach.
During the preparatory phase, the focus is on improving your pet's physical condition to better tolerate the primary treatment. Your dog may be put on a strict regimen of exercise restriction. As dying heartworm larvae can cause blockages in your pet's blood vessels and lungs, reducing physical activity helps lower the risk of life-threatening complications.
Stabilizing your dog's health before initiating treatment for heartworm infection is critical. It ensures that your pet can withstand the therapy and recover safely.
Medication and Procedures
There are a few different protocols for treating heartworm in pets based on your pet’s condition and their specific case of heartworm disease. Generally speaking, the medication and procedures involved aim to kill adult heartworms and their offspring and ensure that the dead worms are safely eliminated from your pet's body. Killing the parasites too quickly can lead to anaphylactic-like reactions, embolism, and shock. Your veterinarian will tailor the exact treatment plan to meet your pet’s needs, regardless of the protocol selected, you can expect that this will be a process lasting at least a few months.
Initially, your pet may receive a dose of regular heartworm preventative along with antibiotics like doxycycline. The heartworm preventative will kill the immature worms and the doxycycline helps to weaken the heartworms, making them easier to destroy. Steroids may also be prescribed to manage the inflammation and potential adverse drug reactions.
Once your veterinarian believes your pet is ready, the treatment phase directed at killing the adult worms can start and Melarsomine dihydrochloride is administered. It is essential to prevent your dog from strenuous activity during this stage as physical exertion could cause the dead worms to travel to the lungs, leading to emergency and life-threatening complications.
We understand that providing optimal post-treatment care can be stressful for pet parents. After your pet undergoes heartworm treatment, they will require ample time to recover. This period is crucial as it allows your dog's body to absorb and remove the dead heartworms, a process that can take several weeks to months.
During this time, exercise restriction continues to be vital. Too much activity can cause dead heartworm remnants to catch in smaller blood vessels, leading to potentially fatal blockages.
Follow-up testing is part of post-treatment care. Your veterinarian may perform additional tests to confirm that all heartworms of all life-stages were eliminated. Vet-recommended heartworm preventatives should be continued as prescribed to prevent future infections.
Potential Risks and Complications
It’s never easy to discuss potential risks, especially when it comes to our cherished pets. Despite our best efforts and the expertise of veterinary professionals, the treatment of heartworm can have complications.
As we have already discussed, one major risk is related to the dead worms creating an embolism, blocking small blood vessels and preventing blood from reaching important tissues and organs. Again, this is why exercise restriction is so crucial during treatment and recovery.
Reactions to the heartworm medications themselves can also occur, although these are much less common. Side effects may be mild, such as lethargy or tender skin at the injection site, or more severe such as fever, coughing, vomiting, and shock.
The risks associated with heartworm treatment are one reason to stress the importance of prevention. Giving your pet vet-prescribed heartworm preventatives year-round reduces the risk of such a complex and stressful process and spares your pet the long-term damage heartworms can cause.
Preventing Heartworm Disease
The best way to tackle heartworm disease is through prevention. Several highly effective heartworm preventatives are available and should be utilized as the first line of defense against this potentially life-threatening disease. Your veterinarian will assess your pet and determine which preventative medication is best suited to your pet’s lifestyle, environment, desired application, and other risk factors. Heartworm preventatives are often combined with medications to control other parasites and come in a variety of applications ranging from topicals, to oral medications and chews, or even injections given by a veterinarian.. Most heartworm preventatives are administered on a monthly basis.
These preventative medicines function by eliminating any heartworm larvae, which have been transmitted by mosquitoes, before they can mature into adult heartworms. It's critical to understand that these preventatives do not kill adult heartworms. They are designed for consistent use, which means you should administer these medications all year round for effective heartworm prevention.
Mosquitoes are key players in the life cycle of heartworms and by reducing your pet's exposure to these insects; you significantly lower the risk of heartworm infection. There are a few measures you can take to impact the number of mosquitoes in your pet’s environment.
Firstly, it's important to reduce mosquito-breeding sites in your yard. Mosquitoes breed in standing water, so removing these from your outdoor space can help decrease the mosquito population. Regularly emptying water-filled containers and cleaning pet dishes goes a long way in contributing to mosquito population control.
Secondly, consider using mosquito control products. Various sprays and foggers are available that can reduce mosquito populations in and around your house. Where possible, keep your pet indoors during peak mosquito activity times, specifically during dawn and dusk.
Regular Vet Check-ups
Regular check-ups with your vet are an essential part of preventing heartworm in dogs. Most dogs show no signs of disease in the early stages of a heartworm infection, which make routine vet visits all the more beneficial for early detection. Your veterinarian will typically test your dog for heartworm infection as part of their annual health check-up. The American Heartworm Society recommends testing for both adult heartworm antigen as well as circulating microfilariae.
Regular vet check-ups also provide an opportunity for maintaining your pet's preventative medicine regimen. Your vet will remind you of when the next dose is due and will help you refill your prescription in a timely manner
The Importance of Early Detection
Heartworm disease can cause serious harm to your dog's health, and in severe cases, it can be fatal. This is why catching the disease in its early stages is absolutely essential. Acute symptoms are hardly noticeable, and therefore, regular testing becomes a necessity.
Early detection of heartworm disease can dramatically increase your dog's chances of a full recovery. The treatment for heartworms is much safer and more effective in the early stages of the disease. It is also less taxing for the dog and less expensive for the pet parent.
Remember, it is always easier to prevent heartworm disease than to treat it.
Is Heartworm Contagious to Other Pets?
As many pet parents do, you may worry about the transmission of illnesses between pets; especially when it comes to something as serious as heartworm disease. Fortunately, heartworm disease is not directly contagious from one pet to another, recall that the disease is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. When one of your pets is diagnosed with heartworm, it doesn't necessarily mean that your other pets have it too.
However, the unfortunate reality is that where one pet is infected, there's a higher risk for other pets in the same environment. On one hand, your pets have likely been exposed to the same conditions and may have both been bitten by infected mosquitoes. Furthermore, an infected pet can be a source of heartworms to non-infected mosquitoes in the area, although the bite of a newly infected mosquito will not be infectious for about 10-14 days.
If you find yourself in a scenario where one of your pets is heartworm positive, it is absolutely crucial to continue heartworm preventatives for your other pets, as it can prevent the disease from taking hold even if the pet is bitten by an infected mosquito. Your veterinarian will give you further instructions for keeping other pets safe in the face of a heartworm diagnosis.
Cats and ferrets may also contract heartworm disease. While these species are not the primary host for heartworms they can become infected. Fortunately, heartworms do not thrive as well in these species- worms do not grow as big nor live as long as they might otherwise in a dog. However, this can mean that the already subtle early signs of heartworm disease go unnoticed. Speak to your veterinarian if you have reason to suspect heartworm disease in any of your pets.
Can Humans Get Heartworms from Dogs?
When it comes to heartworm disease, another common concern is whether humans are at risk of contracting it from their pets. The answer to this is largely reassuring: human infection with heartworms (Dirofilaria immitis) is very rare. When it does occur, it's typically due to being bitten by an infected mosquito, it doesn’t come from contact with an infected animal.
Humans are not a natural host for heartworms, meaning the worms don’t thrive in the human body. Very rarely, a heartworm can migrate to a human's lung, heart, or other area and cause a granuloma, or walled off inflammation of tissue. However, these cases are infrequent, and the infection typically remains asymptomatic and self-limiting.
That being said, maintaining your pet's heartworm preventative regimen is something that benefits not just your animals but also your family. It keeps the overall heartworm prevalence in your immediate environment lower, which decreases the likelihood of either pets or people encountering an infected mosquito.
How Often Should I Test My Dog for Heartworm?
Regular veterinary checkups are crucial in maintaining the overall health and well-being of your pet. Among other things, these checkups often include testing for heartworm. In general, the American Heartworm Society recommends that dogs should be tested annually for adult and microfilarial heartworms.
Annual testing is important even when your dog is on heartworm prevention year-round. No preventative is 100 percent effective, and there are ways the infection could take hold. For example, pets may not receive their full dose of medication either due to topical applications rubbing off or oral formulations being spit out rather than swallowed, etc. Regular testing ensures that if there is an infection, it gets detected early, leading to better treatment outcomes and avoiding an occult infection.
For dogs older than seven months, a screening test is usually recommended before starting heartworm preventatives, as a dog might appear healthy while heartworms are silently thriving within. If an infected dog is not tested before starting a heartworm preventive, the medication could potentially lead to a rapid die-off of microfilaria, leading to a shock-like reaction.
What Happens If Heartworm Disease is Left Untreated?
If a heartworm infection in dogs is left untreated, the situation can become dire. Over time, as the heartworms multiply and grow, they cause the immune system to react in an attempt to clear the infection. The antibodies produced to fight the worms can collect in small delicate tissues such as those of the kidney and cause irreparable harm. Additionally, growing adult worms can block the heart's blood vessels. With the adult males growing up to 6 inches and the adult females potentially reaching a foot long, each worm can take up a significant amount of space inside a dog’s heart. When worm burdens are particularly high the dog is at risk for Caval Syndrome a critical condition in which blood cannot flow through the right side of the heart nor the vessel that feeds it (vena cava)
Clearly, the disease can lead to serious complications, and if left untreated, it will ultimately result in death. Therefore, if your pet tests positive for heartworms, prompt treatment is essential to manage the disease effectively and prevent further damage to delicate organs.
Treatment is, inevitably, a significantly longer, more complex, and more expensive process than prevention, often requiring several interventions, including multiple injections and hospitalization. Effective, ongoing preventative measures and regular testing remain the best approach to keeping your pet heartworm-free.
Seeking Help and Support
At CodaPet, we understand that your pet's health and wellbeing is a matter close to your heart. From understanding the heartworm life cycle to recognizing symptoms, pursuing diagnosis, understanding treatments, and recognizing the importance of prevention, the journey to keeping your pet heartworm-free can feel like a daunting task. But, remember, each step you take is a significant stride towards helping your beloved pet enjoy a healthy and fulfilling life.
We hope this comprehensive guide has provided you with valuable insights into heartworm disease in dogs. These are no easy topics to grapple with, but being armed with the right knowledge can be a powerful tool against this life-threatening condition. Remember, heartworm disease is preventable, and through consistent preventative measures and regular vet check-ups, you can significantly lower the risk of this disease in your pet.Together, we can make a difference in the lives of our cherished pets.
This is not intended as medical advice nor for diagnostic purposes. Consult your veterinarian with any questions.
Dr. Karen Whala has always had a soft spot for the older pets she’s treated in practice and saw a need for these beloved pets to pass peacefully at home rather than in a clinic setting. To that end, she started Peaceful Passing in 2018 to help families assist their terminally ill, injured, or suffering pets as they transitioned from life in the Fresno and Clovis areas. She finds that pets are so much more relaxed and peaceful when they pass at home, and it is truly a gift owners give their furry friends. Dr. Whala grew up in the Eastern foothills of Fresno County in the small towns of Dunlap and Miramonte. She obtained her Bachelors of Science degree in Animal Science and Management at UC Davis. During her youth, she operated a children’s petting zoo and traveled to schools, birthday parties, and library functions educating children on animal care. Her animals included everything from iguanas and ducklings to lambs and frogs, and it was during these formative pet-owning years that she decided to become a veterinarian. In 2006, Dr. Whala graduated with her veterinary degree from UC Davis. She began practicing at a local area mixed animal practice and worked with dairy cattle, horses, dogs, and cats and later transitioned to small animals exclusively. She took a few years break from private practice, during which she earned a Masters in Public Health and Board Certification in Veterinary Preventive Medicine. When Dr. Whala returned to private practice, it was to start Peaceful Passing. Dr. Whala lives in Fresno and keeps busy working at a local clinic part-time, helping families assist in the peaceful passing of their pets, volunteering with Pathfinders (a boys and girls club), backpacking, and hosting friends in her home. Read More
Kuelewa Heartworm katika Mbwa: Mwongozo wa kina Njia bora ya kukabiliana na ugonjwa wa moyo ni kupitia kuzuia. Kuna dawa kadhaa zenye matokeo sana za kuzuia mdudu wa moyo na zinapaswa kutumiwa kama njia ya kwanza ya kujilinda dhidi ya ugonjwa huo. "Mwanzoni mwa mwaka wa 2021, ""ndoto mbaya ya kila mmiliki wa mnyama ni wazo la rafiki yao mpendwa kuugua.""" Kuhusu ugonjwa wa minyoo ya moyo, hofu hiyo yaweza kuonekana kuwa halisi sana. Lakini usiwe na hofu, sisi katika CodaPet tuko hapa kukuongoza kupitia mada hii yenye changamoto. Mwongozo huu wa kina utakuwezesha kujua kuhusu ugonjwa wa mdudu wa moyo katika mbwa - kutoka kuelewa asili yake, kutambua dalili, kupitia upimaji wa utambuzi, matibabu, na muhimu zaidi, kuzuia. Kwa kutumia muda wako kuelewa ugonjwa huu, utakuwa na vifaa vizuri kulinda pet yako na kuhakikisha afya yao na furaha. Hali ya Ugonjwa wa Mdudu wa Moyo Ugonjwa wa minyoo ya moyo ni ugonjwa mbaya na wenye uwezekano wa kuua, ambao huathiri hasa mbwa. Dirofilaria immitis (D. imitidis) ni aina ya minyoo inayopatikana katika moyo, mapafu, na mishipa ya damu ya wanyama walioambukizwa. Mimea hiyo yaweza kukua hadi urefu wa meta moja na kuharibu sana viungo vya ndani vya mnyama, na hivyo kuathiri afya na maisha yake. Mbwa ni mwenyeji wa kawaida wa wadudu wa moyo, na wanahitajika ili wadudu hao wakue na kuzaliana, na hivyo kusababisha uharibifu wa mapafu, kushindwa kwa moyo, na uharibifu mwingine wa viungo. Ugonjwa huu unaosababishwa na vimelea hivyo, pamoja na uwezo wao wa kupanuka na kuongezeka sana ikiwa haujatibiwa, hufanya ugonjwa wa mdudu wa moyo kuwa jambo la kuogopesha sana kwa wamiliki wa wanyama. Ugonjwa huo umeenea sana, na huathiri hata wanyama-vipenzi wa ndani ya nyumba. Uambukizi wa Mnyama wa Moyo Mnyama wa Moyo huambukizwa kupitia kuumwa na mbu aliyeambukizwa. Ugonjwa wa minyoo ya moyo hauwezi kuambukizwa moja kwa moja kutoka kwa mbwa mmoja hadi mwingine bila kuumwa na mbu aliyeambukizwa. Mbwa (na nyakati nyingine canids nyingine) ni mwenyeji wa msingi kwa heartworm, wakati mbu ni mwenyeji wa kati au wa sekondari. Vilevile, ni muhimu kwa kukamilisha mzunguko wa maisha, lakini minyoo hutumia sehemu kubwa ya maisha yao ndani ya mbwa, ambapo hufikia ukomavu wa kijinsia. Ili kuelewa zaidi kuambukizwa kwa ugonjwa wa minyoo ya moyo ni lazima tuchunguze mzunguko wa maisha ya minyoo ya moyo. Mzunguko wa Maisha ya Mnyama wa Moyo Kuelewa mzunguko wa maisha ya mnyama wa moyo ni muhimu kuelewa asili ya upimaji wa ugonjwa wa mnyama wa moyo na kuzuia. Mzunguko huo huanza wakati mdudu wa moyo wa kike aliye mzee katika mbwa aliyeambukizwa anapotoa watoto, wanaoitwa microfilariae, katika mtiririko wa damu ya mbwa. Mbu anayekula damu ya mbwa aliyeambukizwa huchukua microfilaria hizi, ambazo kisha zinakua kuwa mabuu ya kuambukiza ndani ya mbu. Kuzeeka kwa microfilaria katika larva ndani ya mbu huchukua karibu wiki mbili, kisha larva ni tayari kuambukiza mbwa mpya. Baada ya kuumwa, mabuu yaliyo ndani ya mdomo wa mbu huingia katika damu ya mbwa aliyeumwa. Katika kipindi cha miezi sita, mabuu hayo huendelea kuwa mabuu ya moyo, na kutoa watoto wapya katika damu ya mbwa aliyeambukizwa, ambao mbu huweza kuwakamata na kuendelea na mzunguko huo. Maoni yasiyo ya kweli kuhusu mdudu wa moyo Kuna maoni machache yasiyo ya kweli kuhusu ugonjwa wa mdudu wa moyo, kwa hiyo hebu tufanye mambo kuwa sawa na tuhifadhi mnyama wako mpendwa salama. Uwongo wa kwanza: Mifupa ya moyo huathiri mbwa wa nje tu. Sijui kuhusu wewe, lakini mimi mara nyingi nimekutana na mbu ndani ya nyumba. Inahitaji kuumwa na mbu mmoja tu ili kuambukiza mbwa wako, bila kujali kama mbwa wako yuko nje au la. Uwongo wa #2: Ugonjwa wa mdudu wa moyo si hatari katika hali ya hewa baridi Kwa kawaida, ugonjwa wa mdudu wa moyo huambukizwa katika maeneo yenye joto, hasa pwani za Atlantiki na Ghuba ya Amerika, kando ya Mto Mississippi na vijito vyake vikubwa. Ingawa ugonjwa huo ni wa kawaida katika maeneo hayo, umegunduliwa katika majimbo yote 50. Ugonjwa huu unaoenea sana unaweza kuhusishwa na mambo kama vile mabadiliko ya hali ya hewa, wanyama wa kufugwa wanaosafiri, na idadi ya wanyama wa kubeba. Uwongo wa tatu: Ugonjwa wa mdudu wa moyo hauwezi kuua. Hilo ni wazo lisilo la kweli lenye hatari. Kwa kweli, ugonjwa wa minyoo ya moyo waweza kusababisha ugonjwa wa mapafu, kushindwa kwa moyo, na uharibifu mkubwa wa viungo vingine, au hata kifo ikiwa hautatibiwa. Kwa kuongezea, inaweza kuwa mbaya ikiwa mbwa aliyeambukizwa atapewa dawa za kuzuia mdudu wa moyo, zaidi juu ya hilo baadaye tunapozungumzia matibabu. Kujua dalili za ugonjwa ni njia bora ya kuzuia, lakini ni muhimu kutambua dalili za mapema za ugonjwa wa mdudu wa moyo. Dalili za kliniki zaweza kutofautiana kulingana na hatua ya ugonjwa, kiwango cha utendaji wa mbwa, na idadi ya minyoo wakubwa. Dalili za ugonjwa huo huanzia kutokuwapo kabisa hadi kuwa kali sana, au hata kifo. Hapa, tumegawanya dalili hizo katika makundi matatu: dalili za mapema, dalili za maendeleo, na dalili kali. Kwa kuongezea, tunatoa orodha ya ishara za onyo za kuzingatia. Ingawa dalili hizo zaweza kuonyesha kwamba mtu ana mdudu wa moyo, zinaweza pia kuonyesha kwamba ana matatizo mengine ya afya. Ni muhimu kuwa na mabadiliko yoyote katika afya ya mbwa wako au tabia kuchunguzwa na daktari wa mifugo. Katika hatua za mapema za ugonjwa wa minyoo ya moyo, mbwa wanaweza kuonyesha dalili chache au hata kutokuwa na dalili zozote. Hata hivyo, hilo halimaanishi kwamba ugonjwa huo haupo. Baada ya mbwa kuambukizwa, huchukua miezi 5 hadi 7 kwa mdudu wa moyo kuhamia kwenye moyo na kukomaa kuwa mtu mzima. Katika kipindi hicho cha wakati, mbwa huyo hatakuwa na dalili za nje za ugonjwa. Wakati mtoto anapokua na kuzaliana, dalili za mapema za ugonjwa huo zinaweza kuwa kama vile kikohozi kidogo, uchovu baada ya kufanya kazi kwa kiasi, au kupungua kwa hamu ya kula. Kupungua kwa uzito kunaweza pia kuonekana lakini kwa kawaida si jambo la kawaida mpaka ugonjwa huo uendelee. Dalili hizi zinaweza kuwa nadhifu na rahisi kupuuza kama tabia za kawaida au matatizo madogo ya afya. Ikiwa unaona mabadiliko yoyote kama hayo katika mnyama wako, ni jambo la hekima kushauriana na daktari wako wa mifugo. Kadiri ugonjwa huo unavyoendelea, dalili huwa kali zaidi na dhahiri zaidi. Mnyama huyo huendelea kukua na kupanuka, na wanawake wanaweza kukua hadi urefu wa meta moja na kuzaliana. Uwepo wa "vitu" hivi vya kigeni husababisha mfumo wa kinga wa mbwa kuzindua majibu yanayopita kupitia uvimbe na makovu. Wakati hii inatokea, mbwa wako anaweza kupata kuongezeka kwa kukosa hamu ya kufanya mazoezi, uchovu baada ya shughuli nyepesi, na kupoteza hamu ya kula. Pia huenda kukawa na kasoro inayozidi kuwa mbaya. Huenda ukagundua kwamba mbwa wako anaanza kuonekana kuwa mgonjwa au 'amepatwa na ugonjwa.' Huenda dalili hizo hazikuwa za ugonjwa wa minyoo ya moyo, lakini sikuzote ni sababu za kutafuta msaada kutoka kwa daktari wako wa mifugo. Katika hatua kali, mbwa wanaweza kuonyesha dalili za shida kubwa ya moyo kutokana na kushindwa kwa moyo au kuziba. Dalili za ugonjwa huo ni tumbo lililotiwa umajimaji kutokana na umajimaji wa kupita kiasi katika tumbo, kupumua kwa shida, meno ya mnyama, na mkojo mweusi, wenye damu, wa rangi ya kahawa, au kuanguka kwa ghafla na kifo. Katika hatua hii, ugonjwa huo ni hatari sana na unahitaji matibabu ya haraka. Hata kwa kuingilia mbwa huenda wasishinde. Kwa sababu ugonjwa wa mdudu wa moyo mwishowe utaongoza kwa kifo ikiwa hautatibiwa, ni muhimu kutopuuza dalili ambazo zinahisi kuwa ndogo au zisizo na maana. Tafadhali tafuta tathmini ya mifugo ikiwa mbwa wako anaonekana kuwa na uchovu wa urahisi na shughuli nyepesi au wastani, au ana kikohozi cha kudumu hata kama kikohozi kinaonekana laini na kavu. Kama ilivyo na magonjwa mengi, kugundua mapema kunaweza kuongeza uwezekano wa kupona na kupunguza uharibifu wa viungo kutoka kwa maambukizo ya mdudu wa moyo. Hebu tuangalie jinsi ugonjwa huo unavyogunduliwa. Msaada wa matibabu ya ugonjwa wa moyo wa mbwa ni hatua ya kwanza ya uchunguzi wa mwili na ushauri wa kina na daktari wa mifugo. Wakati wa ushauri huu, daktari wa mifugo atauliza juu ya historia ya afya ya mbwa wako, mabadiliko yoyote yanayoonekana katika tabia, na angalia kwa karibu kwa ishara za kliniki ambazo zinaweza kuonyesha ugonjwa. Mtaalamu wa wanyama anaweza kuwa na nia ya kujua kuhusu safari za hivi karibuni na mazingira ya nyumbani, hasa kwa sababu ya uwezekano wa kuambukizwa mbu. Uchunguzi wa kina wa mwili unaweza kufunua dalili kama vile sauti ya moyo au sauti za mapafu zisizo za kawaida ambazo mara nyingi huhusishwa na ugonjwa wa mdudu wa moyo (au mwingine). Uwepo wa tumbo lililovimba, kutokana na mkusanyiko wa umajimaji, ni dalili ya hali mbaya na inaweza kuwa kutokana na hatua za juu za ugonjwa wa mdudu wa moyo. Uchunguzi wa damu ni sehemu nyingine muhimu ya utaratibu wa kugundua minyoo ya moyo katika mbwa. Kwa kawaida, dawa hizo hutolewa na daktari wako wa mifugo kwa kutumia sampuli ndogo ya damu ya mnyama wako. Mara nyingi, damu huchunguzwa ili kujua ikiwa kuna protini (antijeni) za mdudu wa moyo zinazotokezwa na mdudu wa moyo wa kike aliyekomaa. Ni njia yenye kutegemeka inayotumiwa kutambua uwepo wa minyoo ya moyo ya watu wazima. Uchunguzi mwingine wa damu huonyesha mikrofilaria katika damu ya mbwa wako, jambo linaloonyesha kwamba ana maambukizo ya mdudu wa moyo. Historia ya mbwa itafanya jukumu muhimu katika kupima na kutafsiri. Mbwa ambaye amekuwa akipatikana na mdudu wa moyo mwezi mmoja uliopita, hataweza kupata antibodi ya mtu mzima, kwani inachukua miezi 5 hadi 7 kwa mtu mzima kukomaa. Kwa hivyo, mara nyingi ni muhimu kurudia mtihani kwa vipindi vya miezi sita ili kuanzisha matokeo hasi ya kweli. Kama unavyoona, maambukizi ya mdudu wa moyo yanaweza kuwapo hata kwa mbwa wanaoonekana kuwa na afya ya nje, na hivyo kufanya matumizi sahihi ya vipimo hivi vya damu ni muhimu katika mchakato wa kugundua. Majaribio ya upimaji wa picha hutumiwa mara nyingi katika visa ambapo ugonjwa huo haujatambuliwa kwa muda mrefu. Katika visa kama hivyo, kuamua kiwango cha uharibifu ni muhimu kama kugundua waziwazi kisababishi. Uchunguzi wa picha za utambuzi waweza kutia ndani uchunguzi wa miale ya X na ultrasound ya moyo (echocardiogram). Picha za X-ray zinaweza kutolewa kwa haraka na kutoa picha ya moyo na mapafu ya mbwa wako. Picha hizo husaidia daktari wa mifugo kugundua mabadiliko yoyote katika ukubwa au umbo la moyo au kasoro katika muundo wa mishipa ya mapafu ambayo inaweza kuonyesha ugonjwa wa mdudu wa moyo. Ultrasonography ya moyo (Echocardiography) ni njia ya kuonyesha picha za moyo wa mtu mzima zinazozunguka. Mtihani huu wa picha unahitaji mgonjwa kukaa kwa muda mrefu lakini inaruhusu eneo sahihi na makadirio ya mzigo wa minyoo, kusaidia kuongoza mipango ya matibabu. Majaribio ya uthibitisho hufanywa ili kufafanua usahihi wowote unaotokana na upimaji wa awali. Hizi zinaweza kuwa muhimu hasa katika kesi ambapo maambukizi ya mbwa ni vigumu kugundua, mbwa na mizigo ya chini ya minyoo, au katika hatua za mapema za ugonjwa (ambapo microfilariae zipo lakini watu wazima hawajafikia). Uchunguzi wa uthibitisho ni muhimu kuhakikisha utambuzi sahihi kabla ya mbwa wako kuanza mipango maalum ya matibabu. Kwa kuwa matibabu ya minyoo ya moyo yanaweza kuwa magumu na huhitaji kulazwa hospitalini, usahihi wa utambuzi ni muhimu sana. Matibabu ya Mnyama-Mwitu wa Moyo Katika Mbwa Matibabu ya mnyama-mwitu wa moyo katika mbwa huhitaji ujuzi, uelewevu, na subira. Mazoezi ya matibabu yanaweza kutegemea uzito wa maambukizo na afya ya mnyama wako. Lengo ni kuondoa pet yako mpendwa wa watu wazima na wadudu wasio na ukomavu wakati wa kuepuka mshtuko kwa mfumo pet yako. Baada ya kugundua ugonjwa wa mdudu wa moyo, daktari wako wa mifugo atahitaji kufanya tathmini ya kina ya afya ya mbwa wako ili kuunda mpango unaofaa zaidi wa matibabu. Uchunguzi wa kina waweza kutia ndani uchunguzi wa damu, uchunguzi wa miale ya X, uchunguzi wa mkojo, na uchunguzi hususa wa mdudu wa moyo. Tathmini hizo husaidia kuamua uzito wa maambukizo na njia salama zaidi ya kutibu. Katika hatua ya maandalizi, lengo ni kuboresha hali ya mwili ya mnyama wako ili kuvumilia vizuri matibabu ya msingi. Mbwa wako anaweza kuwekwa kwenye utaratibu mkali wa kupunguza mazoezi. Kama larvae ya mdudu wa moyo inaweza kusababisha blockages katika mishipa ya damu ya mnyama wako na mapafu, kupunguza shughuli za kimwili husaidia kupunguza hatari ya matatizo ya hatari ya maisha. Ni muhimu kudumisha afya ya mbwa wako kabla ya kuanza kutibiwa kwa ajili ya maambukizo ya mdudu wa moyo. Hii inahakikisha kwamba mnyama wako anaweza kuvumilia matibabu na kupona salama. Kuna miongozo kadhaa ya matibabu ya ugonjwa wa moyo katika wanyama wa kufugwa kulingana na hali ya mnyama wako na kesi yao maalum ya ugonjwa wa moyo. Kwa ujumla, dawa na taratibu zinazohusika zina lengo la kuua minyoo ya moyo ya watu wazima na watoto wao na kuhakikisha kwamba minyoo waliokufa ni salama kuondolewa kutoka mwili wa mnyama wako. Kuua vimelea haraka sana kunaweza kusababisha athari kama za anaphylactic, embolism, na mshtuko. Daktari wako wa mifugo ataweka mpango sahihi wa matibabu ili kukidhi mahitaji ya mnyama wako, bila kujali itifaki iliyochaguliwa, unaweza kutarajia kuwa hii itakuwa mchakato wa miezi michache. Mwanzoni, mnyama wako wa kipenzi anaweza kupokea kipimo cha kawaida cha kuzuia mdudu wa moyo pamoja na viuavijasumu kama vile doxycycline. Dawa ya kuzuia minyoo ya moyo itaua minyoo isiyo na ukomavu na doxycycline husaidia kudhoofisha minyoo ya moyo, na kuifanya iwe rahisi kuiharibu. Steroids pia inaweza kuagizwa kusimamia uvimbe na athari mbaya za dawa. Mara baada ya daktari wako wa mifugo kuamini pet yako ni tayari, hatua ya matibabu iliyoelekezwa kwa kuua minyoo ya watu wazima inaweza kuanza na Melarsomine dihydrochloride ni kusimamiwa. Ni muhimu kuzuia mbwa wako kutoka kwa shughuli nyingi wakati wa hatua hii, kwani mazoezi ya mwili yanaweza kusababisha minyoo iliyokufa kusafiri hadi mapafu, na kusababisha matatizo ya dharura na hatari ya maisha. Tunaelewa kwamba kutoa huduma bora baada ya matibabu inaweza kuwa na mkazo kwa wazazi wa wanyama wa kufugwa. Baada ya mnyama wako kupatiwa matibabu ya minyoo ya moyo, atahitaji wakati mwingi wa kupona. Kipindi hiki ni muhimu kwa sababu inaruhusu mwili wa mbwa wako kuondoa na kuondoa minyoo ya moyo iliyokufa, mchakato ambao unaweza kuchukua wiki kadhaa hadi miezi. Wakati huo, ni muhimu sana kupunguza mazoezi. Utendaji mwingi sana waweza kusababisha mabaki ya mdudu wa moyo aliyekufa kukamatwa katika mishipa midogo ya damu, na kusababisha vizuizi vinavyoweza kusababisha kifo. Uchunguzi wa kufuatilia ni sehemu ya utunzaji wa baada ya matibabu. Daktari wako wa mifugo anaweza kufanya uchunguzi wa ziada ili kuthibitisha kwamba minyoo yote ya moyo ya hatua zote za maisha imeondolewa. Dawa za kuzuia minyoo ya moyo zinazopendekezwa na daktari wa mifugo zinapaswa kuendelea kama ilivyoelezwa ili kuzuia maambukizo ya baadaye. Hatari zinazowezekana na Matatizo Si rahisi kamwe kuzungumzia hatari zinazowezekana, hasa zinapohusu wanyama wetu wa kipenzi tunaowapenda. Licha ya jitihada zetu na utaalamu wa wataalamu wa mifugo, matibabu ya mdudu wa moyo yanaweza kuwa na matatizo. Kama tulivyozungumzia hapo awali, hatari kubwa ni kuhusiana na minyoo wafu kuunda embolism, kuzuia mishipa midogo ya damu na kuzuia damu kutoka kufikia tishu muhimu na viungo. Kwa hiyo, ni muhimu sana kupunguza mazoezi wakati wa matibabu na kupona. Matokeo ya dawa za kuua minyoo ya moyo pia yanaweza kutokea, ingawa haya si ya kawaida sana. Madhara yanaweza kuwa ya upole, kama vile usingizi au ngozi nyeti katika eneo la sindano, au kali zaidi kama vile homa, kikohozi, kutapika, na mshtuko. Hatari zinazohusiana na matibabu ya minyoo ya moyo ni sababu moja ya kukazia umuhimu wa kuzuia. Kuchukua dawa za kuzuia mdudu wa moyo kwa mwaka mzima hupunguza hatari ya mchakato huu tata na wenye mkazo na kuokoa mnyama wako madhara ya muda mrefu ambayo mdudu wa moyo unaweza kusababisha. Kuzuia Ugonjwa wa Mbuzi wa Moyo Njia bora ya kukabiliana na ugonjwa wa mbuzi wa moyo ni kupitia kuzuia. Kuna dawa kadhaa zenye ufanisi wa kuzuia mdudu wa moyo na zinapaswa kutumiwa kama njia ya kwanza ya kujilinda dhidi ya ugonjwa huu unaoweza kuhatarisha uhai. Daktari wako wa wanyama atakuambia ni dawa gani inayofaa kwa mtindo wa maisha, mazingira, matumizi ya mnyama wako, na sababu nyingine za hatari. Dawa za kuzuia mdudu wa moyo mara nyingi huunganishwa na dawa za kudhibiti vimelea vingine na huja katika matumizi mbalimbali kuanzia dawa za kawaida, dawa za mdomo na kutafuna, au hata sindano zinazotolewa na daktari wa mifugo. Dawa nyingi za kuzuia mdudu wa moyo hutolewa kila mwezi. Dawa hizi za kuzuia kazi kwa kuondoa yoyote ya larvae heartworm, ambayo wamekuwa kupitishwa na mbu, kabla ya wao wanaweza kukomaa katika watu wazima heartworms. Ni muhimu kuelewa kwamba dawa hizi za kuzuia haziui minyoo ya moyo ya watu wazima. Dawa hizi zinapaswa kutumiwa kwa muda mrefu, kwa hivyo unapaswa kuzitumia mwaka mzima ili kuzuia ugonjwa wa moyo. Mbu ni muhimu katika mzunguko wa maisha ya minyoo ya moyo, na kwa kupunguza mwangaza wa mnyama wako kwa wadudu hawa, unapunguza hatari ya kuambukizwa na minyoo ya moyo. Kuna hatua chache unaweza kuchukua ili kuathiri idadi ya mbu katika mazingira ya pet yako. Kwanza, ni muhimu kupunguza maeneo ya kuzaliana ya mbu katika bustani yako. Mbu huzaana katika maji yaliyokuwa yamesimama, kwa hiyo kuondoa mbu hizo nje ya nyumba yako kunaweza kusaidia kupunguza idadi ya mbu. Kutupa maji katika vyombo vya maji na kuondoa vumbi kwa mara kwa mara ni njia nzuri ya kupunguza idadi ya mbu. Pili, fikiria kutumia bidhaa za kudhibiti mbu. Kuna dawa mbalimbali za kunyunyizia na za kupunguza mbu ndani na karibu na nyumba yako. Ikiwa inawezekana, weka mnyama wako ndani ya nyumba wakati wa shughuli za mbu, hasa wakati wa mapambazuko na machweo. Mtihani wa kawaida wa wanyama wa mifugo ni sehemu muhimu ya kuzuia ugonjwa wa moyo kwa mbwa. Mbwa wengi hawaonyeshi dalili za ugonjwa katika hatua za mapema za maambukizi ya mdudu wa moyo, ambayo hufanya ziara za kawaida za daktari wa mifugo kuwa na faida zaidi kwa kugundua mapema. Kwa kawaida, daktari wa mifugo huchunguza mbwa wako kwa ajili ya maambukizi ya mdudu wa moyo kama sehemu ya uchunguzi wa kila mwaka wa afya. Shirika la American Heartworm Society linapendekeza kupimwa kwa ajili ya antigen ya mdudu wa moyo wa watu wazima na pia kwa ajili ya microfilariae zinazozunguka. Uchunguzi wa kawaida wa daktari wa mifugo pia hutoa fursa ya kudumisha utaratibu wa dawa za kuzuia za mnyama wako. Mtaalamu wako wa wanyama atakukumbusha wakati wa kipimo cha pili na kukusaidia kujaza dawa yako kwa wakati unaofaa umuhimu wa kugundua mapema ugonjwa wa Heartworm unaweza kusababisha madhara makubwa kwa afya ya mbwa wako, na katika kesi kali, inaweza kuwa mbaya. Kwa hiyo, ni muhimu sana kugundua ugonjwa huo katika hatua zake za mapema. Dalili kali hazionekani sana, na kwa hiyo, ni lazima kufanya uchunguzi wa kawaida. Kugundua mapema ugonjwa wa mdudu wa moyo kunaweza kuongeza sana uwezekano wa mbwa wako kupona kabisa. Matibabu ya minyoo ya moyo ni salama zaidi na yenye matokeo zaidi katika hatua za mapema za ugonjwa huo. Pia ni rahisi kwa mbwa na ni rahisi kwa mzazi. Kumbuka, sikuzote ni rahisi kuzuia ugonjwa wa minyoo ya moyo kuliko kuuponya. Je, Mdudu wa Moyo Huambukiza Wanyama Wengine? Kama wazazi wengi wa wanyama wa kufugwa, unaweza kuwa na wasiwasi kuhusu maambukizi ya magonjwa kati ya wanyama wa kufugwa; hasa linapokuja jambo zito kama ugonjwa wa mdudu wa moyo. Kwa bahati nzuri, ugonjwa wa mdudu wa moyo hauambukizi moja kwa moja kutoka kwa mnyama mmoja hadi mwingine, kumbuka kwamba ugonjwa huo husambazwa kwa kuumwa na mbu aliyeambukizwa. Ikiwa mmoja wa wanyama wako ana ugonjwa wa moyo, haimaanishi kwamba wengine wana ugonjwa huo pia. Hata hivyo, ukweli ni kwamba, wakati mnyama mmoja anakuwa na virusi, hatari ya kuambukizwa kwa wanyama wengine ni kubwa zaidi. Kwa upande mwingine, huenda wanyama wako wa kufugwa wakawa na matatizo kama hayo na huenda wote wawili wakaumwa na mbu walioambukizwa. Mnyama aliyeambukizwa anaweza kuwa chanzo cha wadudu wa moyo kwa mbu wasioambukizwa katika eneo hilo, ingawa kuumwa na mbu mpya haitaambukiza kwa siku 10-14. Ikiwa unaona kwamba mmoja wa wanyama wako wa kipenzi ana ugonjwa wa mdudu wa moyo, ni muhimu sana kuendelea na dawa za kuzuia mdudu wa moyo kwa wanyama wako wengine, kwani inaweza kuzuia ugonjwa huo usichukue hata kama mnyama huyo ameumwa na mbu aliyeambukizwa. Daktari wako wa mifugo atakupatia maagizo zaidi ya jinsi ya kuwalinda wanyama wengine wa kufugwa kutokana na ugonjwa wa mdudu wa moyo. Paka na punda-milia wanaweza pia kupatwa na ugonjwa wa mdudu wa moyo. Ingawa spishi hizi si wenyeji wa msingi wa minyoo ya moyo zinaweza kuambukizwa. Kwa bahati nzuri, minyoo ya moyo haifanikiwi katika spishi hizi - minyoo haikui kubwa wala hai kwa muda mrefu kama vile inaweza kuwa katika mbwa. Hata hivyo, hilo laweza kumaanisha kwamba dalili za mapema za ugonjwa wa minyoo ya moyo ambazo tayari ni nyepesi hazitambuliwi. Zungumza na daktari wako wa mifugo ikiwa una sababu ya kutilia shaka ugonjwa wa mdudu wa moyo katika mnyama wako wa kufugwa. Je, Watu Wanaweza Kupata Mifupa ya Moyo Kutoka kwa Mbwa? Kwa sababu ya ugonjwa wa minyoo ya moyo, watu wengi wana wasiwasi kwamba huenda wakaambukizwa na wanyama wao wa kufugwa. Jibu la swali hilo ni lenye kutia moyo: maambukizo ya wanadamu ya minyoo ya moyo (Dirofilaria immitis) ni nadra sana. Inapotokea, kwa kawaida ni kwa sababu ya kuumwa na mbu aliyeambukizwa, haitokani na kuwasiliana na mnyama aliyeambukizwa. Wanadamu si mwenyeji wa asili wa minyoo ya moyo, ikimaanisha kwamba minyoo hiyo haiishi katika mwili wa binadamu. Katika visa vichache sana, mdudu wa moyo anaweza kuhamia mapafu, moyo, au sehemu nyingine ya mwili na kusababisha granuloma, au uvimbe wa tishu. Hata hivyo, visa hivyo si vya kawaida, na kwa kawaida maambukizo hayo hayana dalili na hujipunguza yenyewe. Kwa hivyo, kuweka mnyama wako katika mfumo wa kuzuia ugonjwa wa moyo ni jambo ambalo linafaidi sio wanyama wako tu bali pia familia yako. Hii inasaidia kupunguza idadi ya wadudu wa moyo katika mazingira yako, na kupunguza uwezekano wa wanyama wako au watu kukutana na mbu walioambukizwa. Ni Mara Ngapi Ninapaswa Kumchunguza Mbwa Wangu Kwa Ugonjwa wa Mbuzi wa Moyo? Uchunguzi wa kawaida wa wanyama ni muhimu sana katika kudumisha afya na hali njema ya mnyama wako. Miongoni mwa mambo mengine, uchunguzi huo mara nyingi hutia ndani kupimwa kwa ajili ya mdudu wa moyo. Kwa ujumla, Shirika la Marekani la Mbuzi wa Moyo hupendekeza kwamba mbwa wachunguzwe kila mwaka kwa ajili ya mbuzi wa moyo mzima na wa microfilarial. Uchunguzi wa kila mwaka ni muhimu hata wakati mbwa wako yuko kwenye kinga ya mdudu wa moyo mwaka mzima. Hakuna dawa inayoweza kuzuia ugonjwa huo kwa asilimia 100, na kuna njia nyingi ambazo ugonjwa huo unaweza kuenea. Kwa mfano, wanyama wa kufugwa wanaweza kupata kipimo chao kamili cha dawa ama kwa sababu ya matumizi ya ndani ya kufuta au formula za mdomo zinazotupwa badala ya kumeza, nk. Uchunguzi wa kawaida unahakikisha kwamba ikiwa kuna maambukizo, hugunduliwa mapema, na kusababisha matokeo bora ya matibabu na kuepuka maambukizo ya siri. Kwa mbwa wenye umri wa miezi saba au zaidi, mtihani wa uchunguzi wa moyo unapendekezwa kabla ya kuanza matibabu ya kuzuia ugonjwa wa moyo, kwani mbwa anaweza kuonekana kuwa na afya wakati ugonjwa wa moyo unaendelea kwa ukimya. Ikiwa mbwa aliyeambukizwa hajaribiwa kabla ya kuanza kuzuia mdudu wa moyo, dawa inaweza kusababisha kufa haraka kwa microfilaria, na kusababisha athari kama ya mshtuko. Ni Nini Hutokea Ikiwa Ugonjwa wa Mdudu wa Moyo Haupati Matibabu? Ugonjwa wa minyoo ya moyo katika mbwa usipotibiwa, hali yaweza kuwa mbaya sana. Baada ya muda, wakati minyoo ya moyo inapozidi kuongezeka na kukua, husababisha mfumo wa kinga uitikie katika jaribio la kuondoa maambukizo. Vipimo vya kupambana na minyoo vinaweza kukusanyika katika tishu ndogo nyembamba kama vile zile za figo na kusababisha madhara yasiyoweza kurekebishwa. Kwa kuongezea, minyoo wakubwa wanaokua wanaweza kuziba mishipa ya damu ya moyo. Kwa kuwa wanaume wazima hukua hadi inchi 6 na wanawake wazima wanaweza kufikia urefu wa futi moja, kila minyoo inaweza kuchukua nafasi kubwa ndani ya moyo wa mbwa. Mbwa mwenye ugonjwa wa Caval syndrome ana hatari ya kuambukizwa ugonjwa wa Caval syndrome, ugonjwa ambao ni hatari sana kwa sababu damu haiwezi kutiririka kupitia sehemu ya kulia ya moyo na vilevile kupitia mshipa unaoipatia damu (vena cava), na unaweza kusababisha matatizo makubwa na kusababisha kifo. Kwa hiyo, ikiwa mnyama wako wa kipenzi anapata maambukizi ya minyoo ya moyo, ni muhimu kumtibu haraka ili kudhibiti ugonjwa huo kwa ufanisi na kuzuia uharibifu zaidi wa viungo vyake vyenye utambuzi. Matibabu ni mchakato mrefu, tata na ghali kuliko kuzuia, na mara nyingi huhitaji uingiliaji kadhaa, ikiwa ni pamoja na sindano nyingi na kulazwa hospitalini. Hatua za kuzuia zinazofaa na za kudumu na upimaji wa kawaida bado ni njia bora ya kuweka mnyama wako wa kipenzi bila minyoo ya moyo. Kwa sababu ya mahitaji ya huduma ya afya ya CodaPet, tunataka kuhakikisha kuwa huduma ya afya ya mnyama wako ni muhimu sana kwa wateja wetu. Kuanzia kuelewa mzunguko wa maisha ya mdudu wa moyo hadi kutambua dalili, kufuatilia utambuzi, kuelewa matibabu, na kutambua umuhimu wa kuzuia, safari ya kuweka mnyama wako mnyama wa moyo huru inaweza kuhisi kama kazi ngumu. Kumbuka, kila hatua unayochukua ni hatua muhimu kuelekea kusaidia mnyama wako mpendwa kufurahia maisha yenye afya na ya kuridhisha. Tunatumaini kwamba mwongozo huu wa kina umekupa ufahamu muhimu juu ya ugonjwa wa mdudu wa moyo kwa mbwa. Si rahisi kukabiliana na mambo hayo, lakini kuwa na ujuzi unaofaa kunaweza kukusaidia kupambana na hali hiyo yenye kuhatarisha uhai. Kwa sababu ya ugonjwa wa moyo, unaweza kuzuia ugonjwa huu, na kupitia hatua za kuzuia za kawaida na uchunguzi wa kawaida wa mnyama wa mifugo, unaweza kupunguza hatari ya ugonjwa huu kwa mnyama wako wa kipenzi. Hii haikusudiwa kama ushauri wa matibabu wala kwa madhumuni ya utambuzi. Mshauri daktari wako wa mifugo kwa maswali yoyote. Karen Whale amekuwa na upendeleo kwa wanyama wa kiume wa zamani ambao amewatibu katika mazoezi na aliona haja ya wanyama hawa wapendwa kupita kwa amani nyumbani badala ya katika mazingira ya kliniki. Kwa hiyo, alianzisha Peaceful Passing mnamo 2018 kusaidia familia kusaidia wanyama wao wa kipenzi wenye magonjwa ya kufa, waliojeruhiwa, au wanaoteseka wakati wakihamia kutoka maisha katika maeneo ya Fresno na Clovis. "Wanaweza kuona kwamba wanyama wa kufugwa ni ""kijamii"" na ""kijamii"" wakati wao ni nyumbani, na ni zawadi ya kipekee kwa wamiliki wao kwa marafiki wao furry." Whale alilelewa katika milima ya mashariki ya Kaunti ya Fresno katika miji midogo ya Dunlap na Miramonte. Alipata shahada ya kwanza ya Sayansi katika Sayansi ya Wanyama na Usimamizi katika UC Davis. Wakati wa ujana wake, aliendesha bustani ya wanyama ya watoto na kusafiri kwenda shule, vyama vya siku ya kuzaliwa, na kazi za maktaba kuelimisha watoto juu ya utunzaji wa wanyama. Mnyama wake ni pamoja na kila kitu kutoka iguanas na ducklings kwa kondoo na vyura, na ilikuwa wakati huu wa miaka ya malezi ya kuwa na mnyama kwamba aliamua kuwa daktari wa mifugo. Mwaka 2006, Dr. Whale alihitimu na shahada yake ya udaktari wa mifugo kutoka UC Davis. Alianza kufanya mazoezi katika eneo la ndani la mazoezi ya wanyama mchanganyiko na alifanya kazi na ng'ombe wa maziwa, farasi, mbwa, na paka na baadaye alihamia kwa wanyama wadogo peke yao. Baada ya miaka kadhaa ya mazoezi ya kibinafsi, alipata shahada ya uzamili katika Afya ya Umma na Bodi ya Vyeti katika Dawa ya Uzuiaji wa Wanyama. Wakati Dakt. Whala alirudi katika mazoezi ya kibinafsi, ilikuwa ni kuanza Peaceful Passing. Whale anaishi Fresno na anaendelea kufanya kazi katika kliniki ya eneo hilo kwa muda, akisaidia familia kusaidia katika kupita kwa amani kwa wanyama wao wa kipenzi, kujitolea na Pathfinders (klabu ya wavulana na wasichana), backpacking, na mwenyeji marafiki nyumbani kwake. Soma Zaidi