Heartworm: the mosquito-borne threat
Mosquitoes spread heartworm to dogs and cats. It is easy to prevent and hard to treat.
General guidance, awaiting review by a Guyanese vet. Always ask a vet about your own animal.
Heartworms are spread by mosquito bites. The worms grow in the heart and lungs over months. By the time a dog coughs or tires easily, the damage is serious. In a hot, wet country with mosquitoes year-round, every dog is at risk.
Prevention
- Give a monthly heartworm preventive prescribed by your vet, all year round. Some products also cover fleas and intestinal worms.
- Adult dogs should be tested before starting prevention. Giving some preventives to an already-infected dog can be dangerous.
- Reduce mosquitoes: empty standing water in tyres, buckets and drains around the yard.
Signs
Coughing, tiring quickly on walks, weight loss, a swollen belly, or fainting. Cats may vomit, cough or have breathing trouble, or show no signs at all. See a vet if you notice any of these.