Heartworms in pets are transmitted through mosquito bites. This parasite can be deadly for both cats and dogs but, especially for cats. When the mosquito bites, it transfers the parasite larvae into the animal's bloodstream and over the next few days they will hatch and grow and move toward the heart.
Once they hatch, they will move through the blood and as it pumps it will eventually take them back to the animal's heart. At that point, they will make their way into the lungs and as it advances into other vital organs, as well. The parasites often go undetected until the infection is quite advanced, this is when symptoms start to show up.
If you observe a regular dry type of coughing from your dog, on a regular basis, this is a sign that you could very well be dealing with the parasitic infection, as this is usually the first symptom. It also means that the parasites have already found their way into the dog's lungs. Their lungs are irritated by the circulating parasites causing the coughing. You may also notice that your dog has unusual breathing and that it becomes winded easily or has chest pain.
A dog suffering from these worms, has a severely weakened system, which causes them to become less active and very lethargic. The dog will usually sleep more than usual and lose interest in playing and food. Left untreated, this condition will cause a dog's organs to start shutting down. At this point, there is really nothing that can be done and it is humane to allow them to be euthanized.
To protect and prevent your dog or cat from developing these worms, the anti-parasitic drug known as Ivermectin, will need to be administered every month. This is a very effective drug proven to kill the parasite larvae both in animals and humans. Scientific tests and veterinarians across the country will attest to the fact, that a generic brand of the Ivermectin medicine is just as effective as a well known name brand.
When you take your dog or cat to the vet to get a physical examination ask your veterinary doctor about the generic form of the parasite medication. They should be able to offer a lot of information and even a choice of a couple of generic brands as most have been approved by veterinary medical associations across the country and federal drug regulators.
Now the development of parasites in your cat is a very different situation, because it is much harder to treat a cat for these worms. Unlike with a dog, if your vet succeeds in killing the already existing worms, the cat won't recover. Dogs have a larger system that cats do, in general, which helps them to fight the parasites off. A dog's larger sized heart and exceptionally good immune system, protects and revitalizes their systems quite readily.
The cats can still retain the symptoms of the infection such as a wheezing cough, a loss of consciousness, partial paralysis, and sometimes, sudden death. There is no really effective medication to kill the parasite worms once the cat has them. So, the best treatment for heartworms in pets is prevention.
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