What is Heartworm Disease?
Signs of Heartworm Disease in Dogs:
- Coughing: A persistent, dry cough is one of dogs’ most common signs of heartworm disease. Exercise can worsen this cough and make it appear to have kennel cough or other respiratory problems.
- Lethargy and Fatigue: Dogs with heartworm disease often exhibit a noticeable decrease in energy. They may become quickly tired after moderate activity or may show reluctance to engage in exercise at all.
- Weight Loss and Anorexia: Some dogs may experience a loss of appetite and weight loss as the disease progresses.
- Difficulty Breathing: As the heartworms inhabit the lungs and surrounding blood vessels, dogs may have difficulty breathing and exhibit an increased respiratory rate.
- Bulging Chest: In advanced cases, the chest may appear swollen due to weight loss or excess fluid.
- Collapse: In extreme circumstances, a dog might suddenly collapse because the number of worms overwhelms the cardiovascular system.
Signs of Heartworm Disease in Cats:
Cats can exhibit different symptoms, and some may show no signs. When present, symptoms can include:
- Coughing or Asthma-like Attacks: Respiratory problems are a common sign of heartworm disease in cats and can be mistaken for feline asthma.
- Vomiting: Unlike dogs, vomiting is not necessarily associated with eating and can be a more common sign in cats with heartworm disease.
- Weight Loss: As with dogs, cats may also experience weight loss.
- Lethargy: Decreased activity levels or general malaise can indicate heartworm disease in cats.
- Sudden Collapse or Death: In some cases, the first sign of heartworm disease in cats can be sudden collapse or sudden death due to the smaller number of worms causing a significant impact.