Human obesity has been an issue that has been on the rise for years and now it seems that pets are along for the ride. More than half of the dogs and cats in the United States are considered to be obese. Much like in humans, obesity can affect the heart and lungs by [...]
1. Most mammals are at risk of heartworm disease although the risk varies with each species. 2. Dogs, cats (both indoor and outdoor) and ferrets are the most common domesticated pets diagnosed with heartworm disease. 3. Even humans are at risk for heartworm infections when bitten by an infected mosquito. In order to mature into [...]
Increasing in population and expanding their territory, mosquitoes are the primary vector for the transmission of the heartworm parasite. Diagnosed as a global problem and affecting all 50 states in the US, heartworm is considered to be a regionally epidemic problem which is growing in intensity and frequency. Preventative medication for heartworm can be administered [...]
Heartworm testing is especially important when starting, changing or resuming heartworm prevention medications in order to provide earlier detection and treatment of the heartworm parasites. Heartworm disease in Colorado can be particularly devastating because of the complication of pulmonary hypertension due in part to our altitude. Administration of heartworm medications to a dog currently infected [...]
Heartworm is a parasite transmitted from one animal to another by mosquitos. A worldwide disease, heartworm has been diagnosed in all 50 of The United States. This potentially fatal disease is considered to be preventable through the administration of medication. Heartworms require mosquitos in order to complete their lifecycle and they reach an adult worm [...]
Our four legged best friends are benefitting from human medicine much the way that we sometimes benefit from veterinary medicine. For approximately 40 years, pets have been receiving pace makers, a device that often prolongs and improves the quality of their life by jumpstarting their hearts and keeping their heart rate from becoming irregular. Just [...]
A majority of pet owners associate heartworm disease with our canine companions, however cats are at risk for this deadly parasite as well. Feline heartworm can be difficult to detect and like the canine parasite is completely preventable with medication. Heartworm infection occurs in cats the same way that it does in dogs, through a [...]
Heartworm, like many parasites mature through many stages during their lifecycle. The duration of time between when an animal is bitten by an infected mosquito and full maturity of the adult worms is approximately 6-7 months. Adult heartworms reside primarily in the right ventricle of the heart of the host animal where they breed and [...]