Chihuahua Information Center
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Does My Chihuahua Have Heartworms?
Any owner wants to protect their Chihuahua puppy from any danger. However, sometimes it is difficult to think about protecting a dog from something that is invisible to humans and is silent. Heartworms may seem like a medical condition that only neglected dogs can have or dogs that are not well loved and taken care of. The truth is that any dog can get Heartworms and this is not a rare occurrence.
What are Heartworms?
Heartworms are literally what the name implies. This is a silent killer that will be in your dog and eat them from the inside out. Heartworms are worms that grow and live in a dog's heart and also sometimes in the blood arteries of the lungs. There can be anywhere from 1 to 300 worms in a dog's heart and surrounding area.
What do They Do to a Dog?
If you Chihuahua gets Hearworms, they will live and multiple in your dog's heart. As the population grows, the heart of your Chihuahua will grow larger and then heart failure most likely occurs. Heartworms are called the silent killer; your dog may be suffering from this and you will not know.
How Does a Chihuahua Get Heartworms?
A dog gets this when a mosquito bites your dog. The mosquitoes will bite an infected animal (dog, cat or wild animal) that has this condition and then when it bites your dog, it will transfer baby eggs into the body of your Chihuahua. The worms will find their way to your dog's heart and begin to settle in and grow.
How Can I Prevent This?
Luckily, preventing Heartworms in your Chihuahua is easy. Any loving owner must, no matter what, give their dog Heartworm medication. This usually comes in the form of pills or chewable tablets. There should be absolutely no lapses of not receiving the medication. Preventing this is vitally important to the health of a Chihuahua.
How Do I Know if My Chihuahua Has Heartworms
Sadly, there may be no symptoms until the worms are many and are completely filling up your dog's heart. The later stages of this may make your Chihuahua cough. More progression will cause a dog to cough and also not be able to exercise as they once did; as the worms affect the dog's ability to pump blood while engaging in activity. The final stages before death will be: passing in and out of consciousness and labored breathing. Death will then occur.
Your vet can determine if your dog has this by performing blood tests and also an ultra sound and/or x-rays. When your Chihuahua has their regular vet checkups you should be honest about whether or not you have been giving your dog prevention medication; if you have not, your vet must check your dog. If your vet dismisses this, find a new veterinarian.
Can My Chihuahua Be Treated?
Yes. Fortunately if not in the final stages, this can be treated. The adult Heartworms will be killed with medication given to your Chihuahua. Many dogs can survive if given treatment; however some may have irreversible heart damage. Stopping this before it starts is the morally, ethically, loving action any dog owner should do.
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What are Heartworms?
Heartworms are literally what the name implies. This is a silent killer that will be in your dog and eat them from the inside out. Heartworms are worms that grow and live in a dog's heart and also sometimes in the blood arteries of the lungs. There can be anywhere from 1 to 300 worms in a dog's heart and surrounding area.
What do They Do to a Dog?
If you Chihuahua gets Hearworms, they will live and multiple in your dog's heart. As the population grows, the heart of your Chihuahua will grow larger and then heart failure most likely occurs. Heartworms are called the silent killer; your dog may be suffering from this and you will not know.
How Does a Chihuahua Get Heartworms?
A dog gets this when a mosquito bites your dog. The mosquitoes will bite an infected animal (dog, cat or wild animal) that has this condition and then when it bites your dog, it will transfer baby eggs into the body of your Chihuahua. The worms will find their way to your dog's heart and begin to settle in and grow.
How Can I Prevent This?
Luckily, preventing Heartworms in your Chihuahua is easy. Any loving owner must, no matter what, give their dog Heartworm medication. This usually comes in the form of pills or chewable tablets. There should be absolutely no lapses of not receiving the medication. Preventing this is vitally important to the health of a Chihuahua.
How Do I Know if My Chihuahua Has Heartworms
Sadly, there may be no symptoms until the worms are many and are completely filling up your dog's heart. The later stages of this may make your Chihuahua cough. More progression will cause a dog to cough and also not be able to exercise as they once did; as the worms affect the dog's ability to pump blood while engaging in activity. The final stages before death will be: passing in and out of consciousness and labored breathing. Death will then occur.
Your vet can determine if your dog has this by performing blood tests and also an ultra sound and/or x-rays. When your Chihuahua has their regular vet checkups you should be honest about whether or not you have been giving your dog prevention medication; if you have not, your vet must check your dog. If your vet dismisses this, find a new veterinarian.
Can My Chihuahua Be Treated?
Yes. Fortunately if not in the final stages, this can be treated. The adult Heartworms will be killed with medication given to your Chihuahua. Many dogs can survive if given treatment; however some may have irreversible heart damage. Stopping this before it starts is the morally, ethically, loving action any dog owner should do.
Looking for more information? Try our search:
