Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Treatment options for dogs with severe heartworm disease
By Ames, Marisa K & Atkins, Clarke E·Published in Veterinary parasitology·2020·Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Treatment of dogs with severe heartworm disease.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A dog with severe heartworm disease can show symptoms like a persistent cough, difficulty breathing, and exercise intolerance. While many dogs with heartworm may not show any symptoms, those that do can experience serious complications, including heart failure. Treatment typically involves adulticide therapy, which can be effective but may carry risks of complications. Most dogs recover well with proper treatment, but it's crucial to monitor for any severe reactions during the process.
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Abstract
Fortunately, the majority of dogs diagnosed with heartworm infection are asymptomatic (or have only mild symptoms such as intermittent cough) and go through adulticide therapy without complication. Complications occurring with heartworm infection and during its treatment most often directly reflect the pulmonary vascular and parenchymal injury inflicted by Dirofilaria immitis. Clinical signs may include exercise intolerance, frequent cough, hemoptysis, tachypnea, and dyspnea. Severe manifestations such as heart failure and caval syndrome may prove fatal. Acute hypersensitivity reactions after initiation of macrocyclic lactone preventive therapy in microfilaremic dogs or after melarsomine injection during adulticide therapy do occur, but are uncommon. This article reviews complications associated with heartworm infection.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32521392/