Lifespan of a Dog with Heartworms: What You Need to Know

If your dog has heartworms, their lifespan can be significantly impacted. The severity of the infection and the effectiveness of treatment will determine the outcome.

Dogs with heartworms can live for several months to a few years, but the average lifespan is around 1-2 years after symptoms appear.

In some cases, dogs may die suddenly due to a heartworm-induced pulmonary embolism, which can occur when a worm breaks loose from the heart and travels to the lungs.

Prompt treatment is essential to extend the lifespan of a dog with heartworms.

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Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that affects dogs worldwide.

It's caused by a parasitic worm called Dirofilaria immitis, which is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito.

Dogs can become infected with heartworms if they're bitten by an infected mosquito, but it's worth noting that only female mosquitoes can transmit the disease.

Heartworms can grow up to 12 inches long and live in the dog's heart and lungs, causing damage and potentially leading to heart failure.

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The disease can also cause symptoms such as coughing, difficulty breathing, and fatigue in dogs.

If left untreated, heartworm disease can be fatal, and even with treatment, it can still cause significant health problems for the dog.

However, with prompt treatment, many dogs can recover and live long, healthy lives.

If a dog is heartworm-positive, it means they have Dirofilaria immitis, the organism that causes heartworm disease in dogs. This large worm can live in the heart and pulmonary vessels, pushing less blood out to the rest of the body and potentially leading to heart failure.

Symptoms of heartworm disease in dogs include cough, lethargy, and exercise intolerance. Some dogs may also show weight loss, difficulty breathing, and excessive panting.

The severity of symptoms can vary, with some dogs not showing any signs at all. In fact, mild cases may only have a cough, while moderate cases can include a cough, exercise intolerance, and abnormal lung sounds.

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Severe cases can be life-threatening, with symptoms such as abnormal heart sounds, difficulty breathing, liver enlargement, syncope, fluid accumulation in the abdomen, and even death. The onset of symptoms can vary depending on the number of worms, the dog's size, and activity level.

Here's a breakdown of the clinical signs of heartworm disease in dogs:

Heartworm disease is often categorized into four classes based on severity of infection and risk of treatment. These classes include Class 1, where dogs show no signs or relatively mild signs, to Class 4, where dogs are in a life-threatening situation.

Treatment for heartworm disease typically involves several medications, including steroids to decrease inflammation, antibiotics to kill Wolbachia, and heartworm preventives to prevent younger worms from developing into adults.

Dogs with heartworms are given several medications to weaken adult worms, kill worm larvae, and reduce side effects associated with killing adult worms. Doxycycline is often given for four weeks prior to administration of melarsomine to kill Wolbachia.

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Melarsomine is the only drug approved by the FDA to kill adult heartworms and is administered by an injection into muscle. After each injection, dogs must be kept as quiet as possible while worms die, which equates to six to eight weeks of rest.

Additional medications may be prescribed, including aspirin or heparin to reduce clotting or risk of pulmonary thromboembolism. There is no natural heartworm treatment for dogs.

Here are the common treatment options for heartworm disease in dogs:

It's essential to discuss all options with your veterinarian to determine the best one for your dog, as the length of time to a heartworm-disease-free state is longer with the slow kill method, leading to continued damage to the heart and organs.

Dogs with heartworms can live a long, healthy life free of symptoms after treatment if they were asymptomatic before treatment. However, those who were sick with heartworm disease and have symptoms have a poorer prognosis with treatment.

Dog life expectancy after heartworm treatment varies, and it depends on how much damage was done, how the dog tolerates treatment, and the overall health of the dog. In general, dogs can live a long life after treatment, but it's essential to keep them on heartworm prevention continually.

Heartworms can cause significant changes and result in lifelong damage, including vascular inflammation, thickening of the pulmonary arteries, and obstructive disease.

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Heartworms cause a range of problems in dogs, including damage to the lungs and blood vessels in the lungs.

The harm heartworms inflict on a dog's body is quite extensive, with dead and dying worms causing clots in the lungs.

Pulmonary hypertension is another serious condition that can arise from heartworm infestation.

Kidney damage can also occur due to the accumulation of antigen-antibody complexes in the body.

In severe cases, a large number of heartworms can invade the right side of the heart, leading to caval syndrome.

Here are the specific ways heartworms can harm a dog's body:

Long-term changes from heartworms can be quite serious. It takes six months from the time of infection for a dog to test positive for heartworms.

Dogs can develop changes to the blood vessels around the heart before they even test positive. These changes can include vascular inflammation and thickening of the pulmonary arteries.

This inflammation can lead to several possible consequences, including aneurysms, blood clots, and even blockage of smaller vessels. Arteritis, the inflammatory response within the arterial walls, can cause the blood vessels to become dilated.

The heartworms can occupy valuable space within the heart and surrounding blood vessels, blocking normal blood flow. This can be particularly problematic for smaller dogs or those with many heartworms.

Fluid can accumulate outside of the blood vessels, causing tissue edema and contributing to the cough that many heartworm-positive dogs develop. This can also reduce the effectiveness of the diffusion of gases across the blood vessels.

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Heart failure is also possible due to the impact of heartworms on the heart. The worms can enlarge the heart, leading to hypertension or elevated blood pressure, which typically affects the right side of the heart and the vena cava.

Some dogs may develop fluid in their abdomen, known as ascites, which can make it hard for their lungs to expand. This can further impact their cardiovascular and pulmonary functions.

If a dog has a significant heartworm burden, they are at risk of caval syndrome, which can cause respiratory distress, anemia, liver and kidney damage, and even collapse.

Here are some possible long-term changes from heartworms:

Heartworm treatment is a long and challenging process, lasting around 2-3 months.

The goal of treatment is to kill the adult worms, but it's impossible to remove the dead worms from the dog's body.

The typical treatment involves administering medication to kill the adult worms, which can cause a temporary worsening of symptoms.

As the dead worms break down, they can cause a condition called "worm embolism", which can lead to serious complications.

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Adopting a heartworm-positive dog can be a wonderful experience, but it's essential to understand the facts. A diagnosis of heartworm disease is not a death sentence, and many heartworm-positive dogs can have a relatively normal quality of life if treated and managed properly.

Dogs with heartworm disease often end up in shelters due to neglect, being strays, owner surrenders, or confiscation. Strays, lost pets, transfers, and dogs relocated from other parts of the United States are just a few examples.

To adopt a heartworm-positive dog, it's crucial to consider their past and current medical history. This includes any diagnostics or treatments they've received, such as baseline blood work and chest x-rays.

You'll want to ask questions like: What is their past medical history, including any diagnostics or treatments given? What is their current medical history? How long has the dog been diagnosed with heartworm disease?

The severity of heartworm disease is determined by identifying the classification of the worm and noting any symptoms the dog is exhibiting. Most shelters will test for heartworms upon intake if the dog is a stray, or they may have insight into their medical history.

Here are some key questions to ask during the adoption process:

As you navigate the process of managing heartworm disease, it's essential to be aware of the potential side effects of treatment. Pale gums are a sign that your dog is experiencing serious side effects.

Coughing is another symptom that warrants immediate attention from a veterinarian. If your dog is experiencing extreme lethargy, don't hesitate to seek help.

Paralysis, dragging legs, or difficulty getting up are all severe signs that require emergency veterinary care. Confusion is another red flag that demands prompt attention.

Swelling, redness, or discharge from the injection site are all potential complications that need to be monitored closely.

Here are some signs that require immediate veterinary attention:

The cost of heartworm treatment can be a significant financial burden, but there are ways to make it more manageable.

The cost of heartworm treatment typically equates to about 13 years of monthly prevention, which can be a shock to many pet owners.

Seeking treatment with your family veterinarian may cost anywhere from several hundred dollars to $1,800, depending on the size of your dog.

Initial physical examination and heartworm test can range from $75 to $125.

Additional tests such as chest X-rays and chest ultrasound can range from $250 to $1,000.

The cost of heartworm disease varies, but here's a breakdown of the estimated costs:

The total cost can add up quickly, especially if your dog requires multiple rounds of treatment.