What are the signs of Heartworm disease in dogs?
The severity and onset of clinical signs relate to three things: the number of worms, the duration of the infection and the dog’s response. Many dogs infected with heartworms may not show any evidence of the infection in the early stages of the disease. Signs can eventually appear and will worsen with incresed number of worms and with lengthy infections, making early detection and prevention programs an important part of managing your pet’s health. Initially dogs tend to develop a cough and experience difficulty breathing. They may also exhibit a decreased tolerance to exercise, develop fainting episodes or suffer severe weight loss. Since the heart and lungs are affected, many of the clinical signs seen or observed are typical of the heart failure patient or the pet with pneumonia or other debilitating disease. Many other less serious diseases can cause similar clinical signs, so it is almost impossible between heartworm disease based on clinical signs alone. A blood test is necessary
