Pine Castle Animal Clinic Offers Heartworm Prevention and Treatment
Heartworm disease is a condition that occurs in both dogs and cats. The condition is caused by a tiny worm that makes a home in the animal’s heart and lungs. Heartworm is a serious condition that can threaten your pet’s life. At Pine Castle Animal Clinic in Orlando, we provide testing, preventative medications, and treatment of heartworm disease in pets.
What Is Heartworm Disease?
Heartworms are microscopic worms that are transmitted to animals through the bite of a mosquito. The worms are transmitted from one infected animal to another when a mosquito feeds on the blood of an infected animal and then feeds on a subsequent animal.
The tiny microfilia travel through the bloodstream to the heart and lungs, where they grow in size and begin to reproduce. Eventually, the increasing numbers of worms crowd out the animal’s organs and cause symptoms. Without proper treatment, the animal begins to weaken and will eventually die.
Diagnosing Heartworm Disease
Veterinarians can detect heartworms in an animal through a blood test. In dogs, symptoms include coughing, weakness, reluctance to exercise, and sometimes, collapse and sudden death. In cats, symptoms include coughing, asthma-like breathing problems, weight loss, and problems with walking.
Heartworm Disease Treatment
Treatment of heartworm disease can be a lengthy process. The animal must rest completely, and your veterinarian will administer medications to eliminate the worms, antibiotics to treat secondary infections, and other drugs to treat the symptoms. Treatment is not always successful in saving the life of the animal.
Preventive Care Is the Best Option
Our veterinarians can provide medications to avoid heartworm disease, in the form of oral pills you give your pet once each month or in an injectable form that provides protection for 6 months. When administered regularly, these medications protect your pet from heartworm disease throughout the year.
Make Pine Castle Animal Clinic Your Veterinarian for Preventative Care
Dr. Klein, Dr. Whaley, and our team at Pine Castle Animal Clinic work hard to provide the highest quality of veterinary care for pets in Orlando, St. Cloud, Kissimmee, Southchase, and the surrounding communities. We offer many services, including wellness care, vaccinations, spay and neuter surgery, diagnostics, dental care, boarding, and grooming. If you have concerns about your furry friend or it has been a while since your pet’s last vet visit, call our team today at (407) 855-5010 or reach us through our website by using our online contact form.
