Dirofilaria immitis (Heartworm)

Dirofilaria immitis, aka heartworm, is one of the most grave diseases that can attack a dog. I will tell you a few things about it and the gravity of the disease , as I have experienced it.
We brought Nelly home 7 months ago. She was almost two years old as the vet told us and she was obviously abandoned...

From the start I was impressed her subdued and quiet nature, but since my previous dog was a very lively presence, I assumed that Nelly was just a different personality. The thing that worried me a lot, though, was that she was panting extremely easy, she was getting tired very quickly after some minutes of playing, running or just walking, and also that while she was sleeping she was breathing very quickly and heavily. As if it was hard for her to breathe, as if she had no more oxygen, let's say like a pant. A few days later, when nobody asked for her and we decided we will keep her, we took Nelly to the vet so she would have all the blood tests she ought to. That's when, the doctor announced to us that she had Dirofilariasis, and informed us about this disease.

Dirofilariasis is known as heartworm and it is exactly what the word is describing. It is transmitted by an infectious mosquito, breaks out 6-9 months after the infection of the animal and can cause death if it isn't treated on time. The disease is caused by the parasite Dirofilaria Immitis and infects cats, foxes and 30 more kinds of animals apart from dogs. The parasites prosper in the right gulf of the heart, the right heart ventricle and in the pulmonary artery. The deterioration caused leads to serious heart, lung and kidney problems, gradually to hypertension, heart failure, and finally damage of the liver and death .

The symptoms that usually appear are: easy weariness, anorexia, anemia, exhaustion, loss of weight and bad quality of skin and hair. Dogs that are heavily infected can have persistent cough.

As for the treatment, the procedure was more than difficult. The vet made it clear right form the start that it was very important we followed his instructions to the last detail, or we could lose her... She had two shots of medicine intended to kill adult worms. With a 24-hour interval. And from minute one she should stay as confined as possible for 29 days!!! At the same time we were giving her anticoagulants. The treatment is meant to exterminate adult parasites, which is why the animal's confinement is so important in order for it not to suffer from pulmonary embolism. We were so scared we wouldn't do it the right way, so we decided to take her to a hotel for dogs, nearby, that had special premises for these cases. Naturally, it was very hard for us -for her as well I guess- since we weren't allowed to visit, in order to avoid her being excited and start jumping up and down. 

Days went by real slow. We were picturing her alone in a cage and we felt sorry. I was thinking "she might think we abandoned her as well" ... she had just got used of us!!! Needless to say I couldn't wait 29 days. When a fortnight went by I asked the vet to take her back home and we promised we would be extremely careful. And so we were... We re-examined Nelly recently. She is fine and we hope she'll live with us for many years. Since a new infection is possible we pay much attention to prevention. Never forget anti-parasite collars and if possible spraying the dog and it's premise, especially during dusk or dawn.