Heartworm - Spreading Due to Hurricane Katrina Dogs?

Heartworm numbers are up this year in dogs across the U.S. Experts now believe that the increase in heartworm we are seeing is due to the transportation and rehoming of the abandoned dogs affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Many of these dogs were infected by heartworm. When a mosquito bites an infected dog, and then bites another healthy dog, it can spread the heartworm.

Heartworm can be fatal for a dog. Often spread by mosquitos, after the animal is bit, the heartworm larva grow into worms that live in the blood vessels of the dog's heart and lungs. As the heartworm reproduce they choke off the dog's blood supply.

California had not experienced many cases of heartworm before, but heartworm numbers are way up, as reported by a San Diego online news source: Potentially Fatal Heartworm Cases On Rise In San Diego.

Heartworm is easily preventable by giving your dog a heartworm preventative medication throughout the mosquito season (may be all year in warmer climates of the U.S.). Be sure to test your dog for heartworms (a simple blood test) before you give the first dose of preventative.

Treatment of heartworms is expensive and painful, but can be successful if the heartworm infection is caught in an early enough stage.

Some Recommended Heartworm Preventatives: