What are signs my pet has heartworms?
The signs most often cited in cases of canine heartworms are weight loss with a cough, and exercise intolerance. In our area, we see many dogs who skip the signs of a more chronic disease and they present instead with severe signs of right sided heart failure that seem to appear suddenly. The dogs usually show weight loss but with a distended abdomen (from the fluid buildup due to heart failure). They may also show jaundice from liver involvment and dark, coffee or orange colored urine as well. Dogs with these signs, often referred to as “Caval Syndrome” have severe disease and are much more difficult to treat. Cats often present differently with heartworms. In the cat, we can see asthma-like signs that can be permanent from even a transient infection with larva. If a cat does develop an adult heartworm infection, it is many times only one or two worms. However, when these worms die, the only sign the owner may see is sudden death due to severe allergic reaction. Can I have my pet trea
