Puppy May Have Heart-worm?
Friday, October 30th, 2009 at
12:12 pm
almost 2 weeks ago a lab puppy was dumped at the store where i work. he’s been wormed and had his first shots, and is gaining weight.
but i think he may have heartworm.
i’ve never had a dog with heartworm, but i believe at least one symptom is coughing. which Monroe does constantly.
can someone please tell me the symptoms?
and treatment?
in the past, i’ve always understood it would be a lifetime of meds. but things have changed.
what about surgery?
Tagged with: Have • Heartworm • Puppy
Filed under: Dog Worms Symptoms
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Take heart..!!
This isn’t likely to be heartworm disease, as the symptoms take longer to show, than the pup’s age.
(This is quoted:)http://www.canismajor.com/dog/hartworm.h…
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.” ” ”
It is more likely to be kennel cough.
Symptoms, Treatment, (what you and the vet can do) and Prevention are discussed here:http://www.thepetcenter.com/gen/kenc.htm…
If he is under 6 months old,then it probably isn’t heartworm,as it takes that long for the microfilarae to develop into adults,which is why you can start any puppy less than 6 months on heartworm preventative without testing first.Puppies can cough for a lot of reasons – a heavy load of roundworms will make them cough,and then there is kennel cough,bronchitis and tonsillitis.Oh,I noticed that you said that his testicles are just dropping,so he is less than 6 months.It would not be heartworms,then ,so go ahead and get him checked out to see exactly what it is.
YES, heartworm can wait for 2 weeks, a lot longer than that actually. Heartworms has a LONG incubation period. I’ve had a dog with heartworms before, and I found out in May; the vet suggested waiting until November to start treatment because it’s better to treat during cold weather. It takes a few years for heartworms to kill a dog.
That doesn’t mean not to treat it of course, just that it isn’t an emergency. But you’re definitely jumping the gun by assuming that the puppy has it. I think it’s probably far too early for a dog to show symptoms of heartworms; it takes a long time for symptoms to show up, and this is a puppy, so… do the math.
Kennel cough seems more likely anyway; and I know nothing about kennel cough.
Take this dog to the vet. This could be a number of things. If it is heartworm or kennel cough, (or most any other possibility), it needs to be treated ASAP. Some of these things are contagious, and can cause death if left untreated.=
most likely kennel cough
why haven’t you brought him in to the vet for a check up
heartworm dogs do NOT have surgery
** you shouldn’t concentrate on anything but taking the dog to the vets for DIAGNOSIS
How old is the puppy?
Whichever way, VET ASAP. However, heartworm is hard to eradicate.
Your vet can do a test for heartworms.
Basics
Mosquitoes carry and transmit Heartworms. When a mosquito bites a dog to suck a blood meal, the heartworm larva (babies) crawl down the sucking mouthpart of the mosquito into the dog’s skin. From there, it burrows its way to a blood vessel to enter the blood stream (circulatory system). The baby Heartworms end up in the heart, and over the next 6 months develop into long skinny, spaghetti like worms, about 12 inches long. These worms physically are like a ball of worms, or mass of worms in the heart, taking up space, and interfering with pumping blood. Therefore, the mass causes heart failure over the years. Dogs not treated usually die from this disease.
Virtually 100% of unprotected dogs living in endemic areas with mosquitos can be affected. Infection can occur at any age, but most often effected animals are 3-8 years old. Because of the size and number of Heartworms present in an infected dog’s heart, the heart can not function properly, leading to heart failure, and eventually death if not treated.
Treatment requires a hospital stay, and can be expensive. Asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic dogs have a good prognosis for successful treatment and cure. There can be a guarded prognosis for severely affected dogs.
Treatment requires a hospital stay, and can be expensive. Asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic dogs have a good prognosis for successful treatment and cure. There can be a guarded prognosis for severely affected dogs.
Since infection with Heartworms can lead to either an expensive vet bill, or death if not treated, prevention of heartworm disease is recommended. There are several types of preventative available. Heartgard and Interceptor are the monthly preventative options. Luv My Pet recommends Interceptor, but can provide Heartgard if a pet owner will not choose Interceptor. Interceptor is given monthly according to the weight of the dog, and prevents Heartworms while controlling hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms in the intestines. Heartgard is also given monthly, and controls hookworms and roundworms in the intestines.
canine flu? Hacking, gagging cough, runny nose, fever.
Kennel cough, how are his stools?
**You have a big decision to make.
ps…get out the earrings
surgery…take him to the vet if u want him too be healthy………ive never heard of heart worm =@