What percentage of dogs get heartworm?

As a dog owner or someone considering getting a furry friend, you may be wondering about one of the most common dangers facing canines – heartworm. We all know that dogs are susceptible to many illnesses and parasites, but if you’re here reading this, chances are your thoughts have been monopolized by fear of these wriggly little worms taking over Fido’s body.

It’s understandable why so many people worry about their beloved canines becoming infested with heartworms. These blood-sucking nuisances live inside the hearts and lungs of infected animals where they grow into foot-long monsters (okay, maybe not quite that big). In reality though, they do pose a serious risk for any pooch who isn’t protected against them. This article will aim to answer the question at hand with facts backed up by science, while also tinging it with some humor because Hey! Nobody wants to read something boring.

Q: So what percentage of dogs get heartworm?

Well folks, according to science-y sounding research conducted by none other than American Heart Worm Society, an estimated more than 1 million pets were sheltered in communities reporting infections from 2013-2016 alone. Scary huh? However there is no conclusive statistic available documenting exactly how many pups total get infected worldwide each year as reports vary between countries.

Keep dreaming guys! One day our pets might actually be able to conduct their own studies!

Now let us delve deep into some reasons why/how/when?

Mosquitoes spread the disease

Let’s start with one fun fact – those buzzy critters aren’t just pesky annoyances but public enemy number one when it comes down heartworm transmission in canines . You see my humans , mosquitoes carry immature larvae called microfilariae from an infected animal which ultimately come in contact with another unsuspecting host via an adorable, mosquito bite. Shocking!

So if your furry friend hangs around common breeding territories for mosquitoes, such as stagnant water or lake wading areas (among others), then the likelihood of their contracting heartworm increases exponentially.

The Importance of testing

If you have a new four-legged member joining the family it is best to get them tested even before you begin preventative measures . Why?, I hear you ask (or maybe its just my dog hearing ability at work?) Because if your pooch unfortunately does test positive ahead of time, preventing a further infestation and treating early can help prevent severe damage to his/her heart and lungs that could ultimately lead to death.

Monthly Heart worm prevention medicine

Alright guys- it’s quiz time! When was the last time you gave Fido his monthly prevention pills? Or would this be “what weekly pill agenda” for some.. You see folks; Prevention really is key here. Regularly administered medication like meclizine helps make sure none of those nasty little microfilariae ever turn into full-blown parasites inside your beloved pet’s body. That works out great right – say goodbye to worries about costly medication or surgical interventions once Fido has already succumbed completely down under .

Canines at High Risk

No animal is truly safe from pesky biting bugs but some are more susceptible than others. Some risk factors include geographic location- rural dogs being at higher risk due to increased exposure to contaminated environments , outdoor environment – ground dwelling animals having elevated infections risks compared our urban mates up in high rises (yes we’ve been stalking u guys), age/immunocompromised adhesives who may not have enough antibodies yet built up inside their systems..

In addition there are cases where improper use or effectiveness of preventative medications left canine companions unprotected when they needed this shield most.

How Do I Know if My Dog Has Contracted Heartworm?

If your dog starts to develop any of these symptoms – coughing, lethargy, weight loss or even just acting unable/unwilling to perform the same daily tasks as normal- they could potentially be infested with heart worm. These are not always present symptoms but can certainly occur in some cases. You don’t want a wait and watch policy here folks because earlier you detect it better the chancesare for efficient healing.No need coming up with excuses of “Oh! that’s just him growing out..”Save Fido from all those trips to vet and have him checked right away!

Blood Test

A simple blood test administered by your veterinarian will give you an insight into how many little suckers are currently roaming around.the puppers insides.

### X-Ray / Ultrasound
Further aiding in more accurate diagnosis via imaging studies which allow viewing of changes within lung arteries created by heartworms

Conclusion

So there, now we’re at the end – did I entertain or what? But on a serious note , any chatter regarding heart worm infestations is valid . Because preventing them costs far less than treating our poor pups once fully infected.

Remember Folks: consult with licensed veterinarians regularly about health concerns pertaining specifically to your pets needs ;because as much as you might find online articles helpful while sitting through boring work meetings , nothing beats genuine medical advice tailored exactly for YOUR Fido’s individual health profile.Bye bye until next time!

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