Heartworm Disease Treatment from our Austin Veterinarian
Heartworm disease and infection by other parasites, such as ticks, can make your dog or cat become severely sick or even die. Pets become vulnerable when they go outside for walks or outdoor activities. Understanding what causes heartworm disease, the symptoms, and how to treat and prevent it will help you keep your pets safe and healthy.
Causes of Heartworm
Heartworm disease is caused by a parasitic worm spread to dogs and cats bitten by mosquitoes carrying the larvae. Symptoms include coughing, vomiting, difficulty breathing, and weight loss. Heartworm disease can cause severe damage to the heart and lungs of pets making it necessary to get heartworm treatment immediately.
Heartworm Treatment
Heartworm treatment may be prescribed by your veterinarian, in Austin. Antibiotics and corticosteroids are used to treat inflammation caused as the worms die. A series of injections is then given to kill the adult worms. The injections cannot effectively treat heartworm disease in cats.
While heartworms live a shorter time in cats and eventually die off, this can result in an inflammatory reaction that may kill them. The safest way to remove the worms is by surgery. Your veterinarian may recommend surgery if heartworm disease in your dog threatens to damage the heart or lungs.
Tips to Protect Pets from Heartworm Disease
Spring and summertime are the most vulnerable periods for pets due to mosquito infestation. Your Austin veterinarian may advice you to take regular preventative measures throughout the year. They may include:
- Keeping pets indoors during mosquito seasons
- Regular heartworm treatment to kill existing worms and prevent new infections
Tick Prevention
Ticks attach themselves to the skin of dogs and cats. They suck the blood of these animals and may cause anemia, paralysis or Lyme disease. The following tick prevention measures can keep ticks away from pets:
- Regular use of tick control products
- Treating outdoor environment where your pets walk or play
- Getting rid of infected wild animals in your outdoor environment
Contact Our Austin Veterinarian to Treat Heartworm
Dessau Veterinary Clinic in Austin, TX has years of expertise treating heartworm disease and other parasitic infections. Contact us today at (512) 339-3177 to schedule an appointment for treatment.