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Fairfield
Pet Hospital
1983
East Main St
Lancaster,
Ohio 43130
740-653-7977
Office
Hours
Monday
8-6:30
Tuesday
8-7:30 Wednesday 8-6:30
Thursday
8-7:30
Friday
8-6:30
Saturday
9-1
Sunday
Closed
Complete
Small Animal Veterinary Care for Dogs, Cats, Pocket Pets such as
Rabbits, Ferrets, Mice, Rats, Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, and Gerbils.
Accredited
by the
American
Animal
Hospital
Association
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Heartworm Disease is an easily prevented Disease in both
dogs and cats with proper medication prescribed by your veterinarian.
Life Cycle:
An unsuspecting mosquito bites a dog or
cat who has immature heartworms circulating under the skin and picks up some of
the microfilaria (immature microscopic life forms). These microfilaria mature
inside body and when they have reached the appropriate stage of life, they can
be injected under the skin of another mammal. In the new host, the
heartworms grow and mature while they move through the body until they reach the
heart. Once they reach the heart, they interfere with the pumping of the
heart and flow of blood which can lead to heart failure and death if the pet is
untreated.
Diagnosis:
Blood Tests are available to detect either:
 | the presence of the bodies antigens to the heartworms |
| the presence of the immature circulating microfilaria in
the bloodstream |
Further Tests may be recommended to determine the stage of
disease your pet is experiencing; blood work or chest X-Rays.
Treatment:
Heartworm disease can be treated by your veterinarian.
Injections are available to kill the adult heartworms and circulating
microfilaria in the body. These medications are prescribed and
administered by your veterinarian while being monitored closely in the hospital.
Prevention:
Topical or oral heartworm medications can be prescribed by
your veterinarian to prevent infection. |
