24 Confirmed Cases of Heartworm in Adelaide

28 September 2015

Heartworm disease is a severe and potentially fatal illness. It is caused by a blood-borne parasite known as Dirofilaria Immitis. Adult heartworms are found in the heart and adjacent large blood vessels of infected dogs.heartworm-society-hw-vectors

Generally in South Australia pet owners are diligent with keeping their pets up to date with their vaccinations. But as compliance drops and lapses in medication occur, then Heartworm begins to spread. Did you know that currently there are 24 confirmed cases of heartworm in dogs in Adelaide?

The process that you have to go through once your dog is infected with heartworm is extremely stressful for yourself and the dog, let alone how much it will cost to attempt to treat them for this disease. Treatment for Heartworm is not always successful, this is why keeping up with your vaccinations and heartworm injections is vital.

Prevention Is Better Than Cure

If you opt for the yearly injection lasting a whole year, instead of monthly prevention, you don’t have to worry about forgetting to give your dog their medication. Pet Universe offers the yearly injections which are included in our Complete Care Packages for further information click here. For more information about the importance of vaccinations, click here. 

Myths About Heartwormheartworm-lifecycle

It is a common myth that heartworm disease doesn’t affect dogs in their area, but canine Heartworm disease occurs all over the world and exists in Adelaide. There is currently a Heartworm outbreak in Australia with 24 confirmed cases in Adelaide and in particular there is a large outbreak in Mackay, Queensland.

People often think that if they don’t socialize their dog with other dogs, they won’t catch Heartworm disease. This myth is concerning as many people don’t understand that transmission requires a mosquito as a host; the disease isn’t spread directly from dog to dog.

Thankfully there are great preventions for Heartworms in dogs, this disease is easily prevented but complicated and expensive to cure. This is why ideally heartworm injections or other forms of heartworm medication are so important for dogs. It is impossible to tell if a mosquito is infected, this is why prevention is so important. Additionally approximately 9% of foxes are diagnosed with Heartworm; foxes are becoming more prevalent in metropolitan areas, another reason why we all must keep up with prevention of Heartworm to keep your dogs safe.

Signs

Unfortunately there are no prominent signs to look for, until the disease continues to get worse and will start to show signs of heart failure.
For more information please don’t hesitate to call Pet Universe to speak to one of our Veterinarians.

Northgate: 08 8369 3111
Broadview: 08 8266 4666

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