3 Symptoms Of Heartworm In A Dog
Have you noticed that your dog has recently been lethargic and coughing a lot? He or she might be suffering from heartworm, which usually develops after getting bitten by a mosquito that was carrying the dirofilaria organism. It is important for you to seek treatment for your pet before the condition gets worse. Take a look at this article to discover a few of the symptoms that your dog might have if he or she is suffering from heartworm and needs treatment from a veterinarian.
1. Rapid Weight loss
Heartworm can lead to a dog losing interest in eating. If your dog does not eat, no matter how much you try to feed him or her, this is a severe symptom of heartworm that should be promptly treated by a vet. The reason your pet has lost his or her appetite is because of the exhaustion that is associated with heartworm. A hospital stay might be possible if your dog's weight loss is severe enough. The vet will be able to force feed your dog with tubes if it becomes necessary for helping him or her gain a safe amount of weight.
2. Protruding Ribs
If your dog has heartworm, his or her chest may begin to bulge as ribs begin to protrude outward. The root cause of the problem can be due to the fact that your dog has lost a lot of weight. However, a bulging chest can also occur when fluid begins to accumulate in his or her lungs. You must keep in mind that the parasites can invade the lungs along with the heart. You must take your pet to a vet so the fluid can be treated before it leads to more severe symptoms.
3. Frequent Fainting
When heartworm gets to the point in which it is causing your dog to constantly faint, it is a possible fatal situation that should be treated as an emergency. The reason a dog might faint from heartworm is because the parasites accumulated inside of the heart. It then becomes difficult for blood to flow smoothly through your dog's body, which causes him or her to become severely fatigued. An inadequate amount of blood flowing to your dog's brain can end up being fatal, so don't waste time seeking treatment, even if your dog has fainted only once. Make your dog an appointment with a vet hospital like Seattle Emergency Veterinary Hospital as soon as possible if you believe that he or she has heartworm.