On October 10, 1999 the Ft. Myers, Florida News Press, published an article by Matt Whitehead about Heartworm and its increase in Lee County, Florida. The News Press has given permission to quote portions of this article.
While the article is written for the residents of Lee County, there are several points that apply nationwide, especially in areas that have experienced more than normal rainfall.
"Officials (in Lee County) attribute the increase (in heartworm cases) to the rainy weather that helps attract the mosquitoes that carry the disease. They also blame the pet owners who don't keep their animals on heartworm preventative medicine."
As we mentioned in our earlier article (see Protect Your Dog from Heartworm, the disease is spread by mosquito bites. "...more than 70 of the nearly 3,000 known species of mosquitoes worldwide have been identified as capable of carrying the disease." "While heartworm cases have been reported in cats and humans, the disease mostly is found in dogs, said veterinarian Sue Hurst of Kindness Animals Hospital in Cape Coral (Florida)"
A contributing factor to the spread of this mosquito-borne disease is an increase in rain that provides the wet ground for mosquito nesting, but vets also blame the owners.
"Many veterinarians advise pet owners to have dogs and cats started on one of four heartworm medications available when the animal is between 6 to 8 weeks old." "The people and vets who push for the monthly medicine don't have to worry about it. Those who don't have their pets take the medicine will face problems."
If the dog become infected, the infections can be detected "...with a blood sample drawn from the dog. They (vets) chose between two medicines that are similar to arsenic, Capasolate and Immiticide, to kill adult heartworms." "The medicine is given in two injections 24 hours apart. One dog in 20 is expected to die from the therapy." "Costs of the injections, including follow-up liver tests and x-ray exams, could run between $150 to $400, depending on the size of the dog."
The best cure for heartworm is to prevent the animal from becoming infected. "Today, heartworms are almost completely preventable, said Veterinarian Wayne Mogavero with the Tails-A-Waggin Animal Hospital in south Ft. Myers" "The bottom line is, there is no epidemic among animals that get medicine. The only animals that get heartworm are those that do no get the proper treatment and medicine."
Our Golden Retrievers are on Heartguard which is sold in quantities dependent on the size of the dog. If you are buying Heartguard for your cat MAKE SURE to read the label -- it MUST SAY it is usable for cats!
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