Canine heartworm detected in Westlake





Recently, a pet- owner brought his dog into my Westlake Village office because the 12-year-old Jack Russell terrier had been experiencing labored breathing for about three weeks.

Despite having almost no contact with other canines—the dog stayed mostly indoors aside from trips to the backyard, and rarely visited a dog park—the pooch was diagnosed with heartworm disease.

This infection is transmitted from animal to animal by mosquitoes. Symptoms develop about six to seven months after infection.

Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal affliction caused by a parasite that invades mainly lung arteries and the right chamber of the heart. The parasite causes inflammation of lung tissue and damages blood vessels, leading to coughing, labored breathing, lack of energy and weight loss.

A heartworm antigen blood test is the best way to determine if your dog or cat has the disease as coughing can be caused by a number of different infections.

A detailed history, physical examination, blood tests and chest radiographs are also necessary to differentiate among possible causes of coughing and labored breathing. Treatment of affected dogs is available but is costly and is not without complications.

Heartworm infection is preventable by giving your dog anti-parasitic drugs regularly. Annual checkups are also necessary to ensure the prevention program is working.

Even though heartworm disease is rarely diagnosed in dogs or cats in the Conejo Valley, the death of a family dog can be devastating. Remember, prevention is much less costly than treatment.

To find out more, go to www.heartwormsociety.org.

Dr. Mutalib’s Townsgate Pet Hospital is at 2806 Townsgate Road, Ste. C, Westlake Village. For more information, call (805) 230-1999.



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