Vet in Miami

Heartworms and Dogs

One of the most common diseases that can be spread by mosquitoes to your dog is heartworm disease. Your pet should be tested for this disease each and every year. Early detection is key in treating a pet that has the disease and making sure that they live a long and healthy life. Heartworm can be deadly when not detected. A Miami veterinarian clinic can test your pet for heartworm and prescribe a preventative course of action.

Preventative Medication for Heartworms

If your pet tests negative for heartworm at a Miami veterinarian clinic, they will be prescribed a preventative medication to protect them. This medication is most often a chewable pill that your pet should take at the same time every month. The treatment will help to keep your pet safe from a heartworm infection even if they are bitten by an infected mosquito. It is very important for every pet owner to make sure that their pet is treated without fail. Failure to treat can lead to heartworm infection.

Symptoms

There are symptoms that a pet owner should watch out for in their pet to help detect heartworm early. Your dog may have difficulty breathing or may begin to cough. Coughing in dogs is not common so this definitely indicates a problem. Your dog may also begin to tire easily. They may lose weight, become listless or their coat may become rough. If you notice any of these symptoms, your dog should be tested for heartworm by a Miami veterinarian clinic immediately.

Starting Heartworm Treatment on Your Dog

Once heartworm has been detected in your dog's blood, it is important to start treatment right away. A Miami veterinarian clinic will oversee the treatment and will test again to make sure that it was effective. If heartworm is left untreated, your dog will not survive.

Heartworm is a very common ailment in dogs that is easily prevented and treated if it is caught early. Knowing what to look for in your dog can help you to get an early diagnosis from a Miami veterinarian clinic. Every pet owner should have their dog tested regularly and make sure that they get their heartworm medication each and every month to avoid any unnecessary heartache.