Currently, due to globalization, the occupation of more and more natural habitats by humans and climate change, there are several diseases that are experiencing considerable expansion worldwide. One of these is heartworm disease, caused by the parasitic heartworm Dirofilaria immitis, which lives in the heart and pulmonary arteries of dogs. The symptoms it causes can be so serious as to result in the death of the animal. It is an emerging disease that the dog contracts after being bitten by a mosquito. The best way to avoid it is prevention, which is achieved by following the deworming guidelines that our trusted veterinarian will recommend.
In this article on our site, in collaboration with the Deworm your pet campaign, we will explain why the Dirofilaria immitis parasite spreads in Spainand how to avoid it.
Why is the Dirofilaria immitis parasite spreading?
As we move forward, the heartworm Dirofilaria immitis infects our dog through a mosquito bite Specifically, those They belong to the Culicidae family. Immature forms of Dirofilaria immitis are found in the mouthparts of these mosquitoes. Thus, when the dog is bitten, the parasites enter its body and mature inside it until they end up staying on the right side of the heart and, above all, in the arteries that lead to the lungs. When the infestation is very heavy, the worms can also spread through the venae cavae and hepatic veins. In addition, adult females produce young parasites, called microfilariae, which remain in the blood. If a mosquito bites the dog, it ingests these microfilariae and can transmit them to another dog by biting it, closing the cycle. Check this other article to learn more about how the disease develops: “Heartworm in dogs – Symptoms and treatment”.
The latest data indicates that the countries of southern and eastern Europe are suffering the effects of climate change, whichfavors the necessary conditions for the proliferation of these mosquitoes That is why it is said that there is an emerging risk in the expansion of filariasis. In fact, all of Spain is considered an endemic area for this nematode. This means that the disease is permanent throughout the country, although the proportion of affected individuals varies in each region.
The danger of heartworm disease for dogs
Knowing the places where the Dirofilaria immitis worm lives in the dog's body, it is easy to understand that this disease poses a serious threat to its he alth. Thus, the presence of the parasite in the heart and in blood vessels of great importance will affect blood flow and, also, the functioning of this organ. The end result will be heart failure In other words, the heart will not be able to fulfill its mission, which is to distribute oxygenated blood throughout the body.
The sick dog will begin to show clinical signs that point to cardiac or respiratory disease. These will evolve over weeks, months and even years. The most common are the following:
- Tiredness or exercise intolerance. The dog will become fatigued when performing any physical activity. In the most severe cases, syncope may occur.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Cough, especially after exercise.
- Slimming.
- Spewing up blood or nosebleeds.
The symptoms will get worse until the dog also shows them at rest. Without treatment it is a life-threatening disease and even treating the dog can lead to fatal complications.
How to know if a dog has Dirofilaria immitis?
Heartworm, as we say, can even take years to cause symptoms, since the parasites need time to develop and cause damage. Therefore, if we have not dewormed our dog and, above all, if we live in an endemic area, even if we do not detect any of the clinical signs described, our dog could be infected. To find out, you have to go to the vet. Through a test, which is recommended to be done annually, you can find out what your dog's situation is at that time with respect to the parasite.
The importance of deworming
As dog sitters it is essential that we understand how important it is to deworm our dog as often as the vet tells us. In this way, we can prevent not only the inconvenience caused by parasites such as fleas, ticks or mosquitoes, but also that the animal contracts any of the diseases for which these parasites are vectors, as is the case of dirofilariosis. If we deworm our dog as often as the vet recommends, we are contributing to the prevention of all these diseases
Deworming should be started as soon as the animal arrives home, even if it is still a puppy, as mosquitoes can bite it from the same moment of his birth, and continue throughout the year, since it is increasingly common for mosquitoes to maintain their presence in the twelve months. It is an especially important aspect if we live in an endemic area of a certain parasite or we are going to travel to one. In the latter case, it is advisable to notify the veterinarian so that he can prescribe the most appropriate deworming.
Finally, we must bear in mind that the Dirofilaria immitis parasite can also affect people and other animals, such as cats, even though its main host is the dog.
To deworm a dog we have multiple antiparasitic products, each one for a specific purpose. For example, antiparasitic pipettes combat external parasites, while syrups and tablets usually treat internal parasites. However, currently we can also find in veterinary clinics what is known as double deworming, which consists of administering to the dog a single tablet every month that combats the both internal parasites, such as Dirofilaria immitis, and external parasites, such as fleas and ticks. In addition, double deworming is available in tasty chewable tablets that are very easy to administer and are very well tolerated by dogs. Therefore, do not hesitate, go to your trusted clinic and deworm your pet.
Why is it so important to control the spread of the Dirofilaria immitis parasite?
Heartworm caused by the so-called heartworm is an emerging disease. This means that its incidence is increasing and, if the appropriate measures are not taken, it may continue to do so in the future. It is important to prevent this from happening, mainly for three reasons:
- This is a zoonotic disease, which means it can also affect humans.
- It is a serious, chronic and progressive disease that can be life-threatening for infected dogs.
- It is difficult to treat, to the point that some dogs may die during its administration due to thromboembolic complications derived from the death of the heartworms.
