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2017 1 5 Hollywood Insider Heartworm Disease May 2017 Volume 2017, Issue 5 You may be wondering if they begin to mate and grow adult worms from forming. heartworms are what they sound into long worms. This whole Treatment is lengthy and can be like….and the answer is YES. process takes about 5-7 pricey, based on the weight of Inside this issue: Heartworms are actual worms months. Adult female the dog. Therefore, we highly that live in the heart – ewww! We heartworms then begin to recommend prevention! You definitely do not like these nasty reproduce and more microfilaria can provide years of heartworm parasites , and we are sure you are made, which swim around prevention for your dog for the Rabies Virus 2 won’t either, after reading this in the dog’s bloodstream until a same cost of what one article! mosquito comes and takes a heartworm treatment would blood meal (and a microfilaria) cost! Let’s Go For A 3 Heartworms (Dirofilaria immitis) and then goes and bites Walk! are actual worms that can grow another dog. The entire process Prevention up to 14 inches long! In the adult begins again, and on and on it Prevention is very affordable Doctor Q&A 3 stage, they live in the pulmonary goes! and easy! Our #1 arteries of the heart in an recommended preventive is infected dog. Heartworms get Proheart6, the injectable 6 Case Story – Siri 3 their nutrients from the blood Testing month prevention. Proheart6 Foster that flows through the pulmonary We can perform a simple blood does not prevent fleas, arteries to the lungs. When test right here in the clinic to however. If you are looking for these arteries are clogged with check for heartworms. Our test an all-in-one product, Trifexis is Photo Showcase 3 heartworms, the heart has to checks for an antigen that is a great option. Trifexis is a once work extra hard to pump blood to produced by an adult female monthly tablet that prevents Meet the Bengal 4 the lungs. When there is a heavy heartworm. If the test is heartworms, fleas, and Cat! load of heartworms (more than negative, this means there are intestinal parasites. We also 25), the worms begin to back up no female heartworms, which carry a topical product called into the right ventricle of the also means that no microfilaria Advantage Multi, which is also heart. When there are more than will be produced, and no new once monthly and prevents 50 worms, the right atrium of the heartworms will grow in the heartworms, fleas, and heart begins to fill. By this time, heart. However, a dog could still intestinal parasites. All of these the heart is severely overloaded have male heartworms with a require a recent exam and a and the heart is able to pump negative heartworm test. But current heartworm test. Call our very little blood. Sadly, most without a female to breed with, office for pricing or to learn dogs do not survive past this the males will just age and die more! point. within 1-5 years. Dogs acquire heartworms Treatment through mosquito bites. That’s Contrary to common belief, right – those pesky little bugs heartworm positive dogs can be that we already detest are also treated. The treatment consists the culprits of heartworm of an antibiotic called disease. When an infected Doxycycline which kills a mosquito bites a healthy dog, it bacteria that help heartworms injects microfilaria into the dog’s survive, heartworm prevention skin. Microfilariae are baby (usually Proheart) which heartworms (larval stage). The prevents new heartworms, and microfilariae live in the skin for a three injections of Immiticide, few months while they mature which kills the adult into a juvenile stage. Once heartworms. We keep dogs on mature enough, they enter the heartworm prevention circulatory system of the dog throughout treatment, to kill and then migrate to the heart microfilaria and prevent new and pulmonary arteries where 1 Rabies Virus Rabies Virus is not nearly as common as There is no treatment for Rabies in pets, There is a strict protocol in place for it used to be. In fact, due to the federal which is why prevention (vaccination) is suspected Rabies cases, set forth by the and state laws requiring Rabies so important. Rabies virus infection Department of Health and Human vaccination in pets every 1-3 years, the affects the nervous tissue (brain and Services. Each situation is unique, but if Here in Lincoln Parish, Rabies Virus has been almost eradicated associated organs). This occurs in three you have an animal that has been bitten the Rabies vaccination in domesticated animals. However, we phases: Prodromal, Excitative, and then by a wild animal, you should contact still see cases pop up here and there, so Paralytic Stage. your veterinarian for advice. If you or is only required once vaccination is still required by law. Here another person is bitten by a wild animal every three years, in Louisiana, and in Lincoln Parish, Basically, the virus will cause the animal’s or an animal suspected to have Rabies, following the initial Rabies vaccination is required once behavior to change from friendly to timid, you should contact the health vaccine and 1 year every 3 years, after the initial then aggressive. The animal may suffer department for human advice. vaccination and 1 year booster. This law from hallucinations, attacking things that booster vaccine. varies by parish, and by state, so do your are not there. Then, muscle weakness Veterinarians definitely do not take research if you plan to move out of this sets in and the animal will stumble and Rabies Virus lightly! Here in Lincoln area. appear “drunk.” They will also drool Parish, the Rabies vaccination is only excessively, or foam at the mouth. required once every three years, Rabies made a big mark on society in Eventually, the virus takes over the following the initial vaccine and 1 year the 1950s with the release of “Old nervous system and the animal will die. booster vaccine. It is a very inexpensive Yeller” and again in the 1980s with the During the last stage in which the animal vaccine, so please keep your pets up to Stephen King film “Cujo.” Rabies is a drools and stumbles around is when date! We cannot stress this enough! The very scary and very serious viral disease human exposure is the most common, as last thing we want is for pet owners to that attacks the nervous system. Wild we like to be good Samaritans and stop begin to feel comfortable about not animals can be carriers of Rabies, and to help a sick dog on the side of the road. vaccinating, and then see Rabies cases some can even be “silent carriers” However, if you see an animal acting in begin to show up in our area. Let’s meaning they can spread the disease this fashion, you should steer clear and prevent that by keeping all of our pets without exhibiting signs of the disease. call either Animal Control or the Sheriff’s up to date! The most common carriers of Rabies Department. virus are bats, skunks, and raccoons. Let’s Go For A Walk! Spring time is just about perfect harder to control when going home, with no shade to rest for getting outdoors and enjoying other places, such as a trip to the under. It might be a good idea to the fresh air and sunshine (when vet. carry a water bottle and a it isn’t raining). Your pets collapsible water bowl, especially probably enjoy being outside as Walking your dog is also great if you are walking at a different well. Studies have shown that exercise for your pet and for you! location than where you live, or if pets who are exposed to different Some dogs enjoy jogging with you plan to go a longer distance. environments are happier. Going their owners, while others prefer outdoors, or to the park, helps to to just walk. Some seem to be There are plenty of dog-friendly engage the senses and stimulate able to walk all day without tiring, places around the Ruston area, their minds. and others get tired quickly. although most require pets to be However, walking two or three kept on a leash. Lincoln Parish Taking your dog for a walk can times a week with your dog will Park, LA Tech campus and make a world of difference for make a noticeable difference in Hideaway Park, and Cook Park in your pet. As mentioned above, your pet, especially if he or she Ruston are a few good places to your dog will be happier. Even needs to lose a few pounds. go. It is also courteous to carry timid dogs, once exposed to poop bags with you, because something new, will learn to As it gets hotter outside, you may nobody likes to come across that Walking through enjoy walks and even look want to stay closer to home, or while walking through the park! Hideaway Park forward to them. You can also walk somewhere with a known bond with your dog on these water source, such as a park. Also, Let’s get out there and go for a walks. It teaches your dog to trust watch your dog and learn when it walk! you as his owner and to listen to is time to take a break. You do not you, as well as get used to being want your dog to become on a leash. Dogs who are never overheated or overworked while walked on a leash tend to be you are still a mile away from 2 Ask the Vet! Q: What should I do if my dog gets stung by a wasp over the weekend, when you are not open? A: Oh no! Insect bites and stings are no fun.