Heartworm disease, dog heartworm, or Dirofilariosis is a parasitic roundworm that is spread from host to host through the bite of mosquitoes. These larvae live in the blood vessels. Heartworm is common in Seychelles and can be fatal to dogs if left untreated. To date, there have been no reports of feline heartworm in Seychelles.
Prevention is better than cure
The best course of action is to prevent your dog from getting heartworm in the first place by giving it regular heartworm prevention medicine.
Heartworm preventative medicine is available at most pet supply stores including Paw Links Vet Care and the Seychelles Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA). This medicine should be given to your dog regularly, either monthly or as prescribed by the veterinarian.
You can make heartworm preventative treatment part of your dog care routine and while you are at it, you should deworm your dog too.
- Puppies should be dewormed routinely to prevent intestinal parasites from developing.
- Keep your dog on heartworm prevention. Heartworm prevention medicine not only provides life-saving protection against heartworm disease but it could also provide protection against multiple intestinal parasites and some external parasites.
- Prevention is better than cure. Don’t wait until you notice worms in your pet’s fecal matter before you take action. Deworm them regularly.
- If your dog has heartworm it might not be immediately obvious as symptoms might only present themselves when it is too late.
- Like heartworm, if intestinal worms are left untreated they can kill your dog by causing intestinal blockages, hemorrhage, anemia just to name a few.
Call us on 271 0088 during office hours to book your consultation and get your dog on a treatment plan.
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[Information contributed by Dr Maria Tirant]