1. Heartworm Disease and Prevention
Jennifer Hohle

2. Table of contents What are heartworms? Life cycle of the heartworm
Symptoms of heartworm disease
Diagnosis of heartworm disease
Other disease processes secondary to heartworms
Treatment
Prevention
References

3. Heartworms
Heartworm disease is still a worldwide problem. This postmortem heart specimen contained nearly 100 adult heartworms ( dirofilaria immitus). (Schaer, 2008, p. 70)
Heartworms affect many species
worldwide but here it mainly affects
canines, felines, and Ferrets.

4. Life cycle of the heartworm

5. Symptoms of Heartworm Disease in Dogs
Coughing
exercise intolerance
Anorexia
weight-loss
Tachypnea
distended abdomen
ascites

6. Symptoms of Heartworm Disease in Cats
Open mouth breathing
Sudden death

7. Diagnosis
In most cases, one or more simple blood tests will diagnose heartworm disease.
For example serological tests for antigens to adult heartworms
A direct sample of blood can be viewed with a microscope to look for microfilariae
A modified Knott’s test (rarely used)
Heartworm disease affect liver and kidney function so a bloodwork panel checking organ function should be performed as well
Prior to treatment thoracic radiography should be taken to classify the level of the disease process

8. Secondary complications
Caval syndrome
- obstruction of blood flow from the vena cava caused by heavy heartworm infestation
Ascites
-fluid in abdominal cavity
Embolism
- a blockage of vessel by a foreign object
Right-sided congestive heart failure
- insufficient cardiac output to meet the body's needs

9. Secondary complications continued
Renal failure
- inability of the kidneys to function
Hepatic failure
-inability of the liver to function

10. Treatment
An injectable drug to kill adult heartworms is given. (adulticide)
The injections may be given thirty days apart
Many dogs are also treated with antibiotic and steroid therapy (doxycycline and prednisone)
There is currently no way to treat heartworm disease in cats(prevention is key)
During treatment complete confinement and rest is essential to prevent complications secondary to worms that are dying off
Dogs with severe heartworm disease may require lifetime treatment for heart failure
Many dogs display renewed vigor and vitality after completing treatment

11. Post Treatment Requirements
To minimize development of clinical pulmonary thromboembolism, it is important to restrict activity for 3-4 weeks after completion of adulticide therapy. (Bassert, 2010, p. 700)

12. Prevention
You can prevent your dog or cat from getting heartworms by using a monthly heartworm preventive
With the safe and affordable preventives available today, no pet should ever get heartworms
There are oral medications as well as topical that can be administered once a month for dogs
Revolution seems the be the best product for cats

13. Prevalence of heartworms

14. References
Bassert, J. (2010). Small Animal Medical Nursing. In McCurnin's clinical textbook for veterinary technicians (7th ed., p. 700). St. Louis, Mo.: Elsevier Saunders.
Schaer, M. (2008). Cardiovascular Disorders. In Clinical signs in small animal medicine (p. 70). London: Manson Pub./The Veterinary Press.

15. The End