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Heartworms- an Unseen Health Issue

Approximately 10% of the dogs that enter the HEART foster program test heartworm positive. Heartworms are transmitted to dogs by mosquitoes.  They bite an infected dog and then transfer the baby worms to the healthy dog's bloodstream.  As the worms grow, they lodge in the heart.  If they remain untreated, over time, they will migrate to the lungs and cause more damage.  The worms inside the heart prevent proper blood flow. 

You cannot look at a dog and know they are heartworm positive.  Keeping your dog indoors does not keep your dog safe from heartworms.  Feeding your dog a special diet does not prevent heartworms.  The only thing that prevents heartworms in dogs is heartworm preventatives. ALL DOGS IN NORTH CAROLINA should be given heartworm preventatives!  For more information about heartworms, please visit the Heartworm Society website.

Tiffany, a beautiful Shih Tzu, is our latest heartworm positive dog.  Note that she is a small breed dog normally kept as an indoor pet.  This did not prevent her from getting heartworms!  If you'd like to contribute to her treatment, please click on our "donate" button!  

Napoleon, an older Border Collie mix, tested positive for heartworms.  Unfortunately, his heart has an erratic heart rate that puts his life at risk, if he is treated!  Napoleon will be receiving an alternative treatment for heartworms which is easier on his body.  He will remain on heartworm preventatives for the rest of his life.  Over the next two years, the worms in his heart will begin to die a natural death and disintegrate.  In two to two-and-a-half years, he should test negative for heartworms and will be considered heartworm free.  He will then need to continue his heartworm preventative program for the rest of his life to prevent a re-infestation!  It is hoped that his heart condition will improve as the adult worms die off.

Biscuit, a great little Cairne Terrier, tested positive for heartworms.  He was treated earlier this year and is now in his forever home!

Many people believe that toy breeds do not get heartworms because they are kept inside most of the time.  Let us introduce you to Blondie.  She is a petite Chihuahua that tested positive for heartworms.  If your dog goes outside for any period of time and is bitten by a mosquito, heartworms can be transmitted to their blood stream.  It's just not worth the risk. Not only is the treatment hard on a dog's body, it is also quite costly, far above the small cost of preventing the infection in the first place! 

Blondie was treated for heartworms earlier this year and is now in her forever home!