OTTUMWA FAMILY ANIMAL CARE
  • Our Services
    • Boarding
    • Hospice and Euthanasia
    • Nutritional Counseling
    • Parasite Prevention
    • X-Rays
    • Senior Care
    • Wellness Exams
    • Dental Care
    • Fully Stocked Pharmacy
    • Microchipping
    • Pain Management
    • Puppy and Kitten Care
    • Surgery
    • Vaccinations
  • News & Events
  • Current Specials
  • About Us
    • Our Team
    • Locations
    • Testimonials
    • CAREERS
    • Contact Us

Blog

Heartworm Signs and Treatments

4/10/2014

0 Comments

 
​Question:
I thought I would email you to see if you could give me any suggestions on Bandit, our 4 year old Blue Heeler.  Since we have had some nice warmer days recently; we have let bandit be outside running through the fields and playing down by the river.  We have noticed that he doesn’t want to swim this season and when we play fetch with him he coughs some and doesn’t want to play as long as he normally does.  This really concerns me since it seems like it has happened all of the sudden. 
Picture
Answer:
It sounds like Bandit may be having a problem with his heart.  These symptoms you list of decreased exercise tolerance and coughing are commonly seen with Heart Disease and Heartworms.  Although it seems like this is an acute problem if Bandit has been in the house with you all winter this problem has probably been building, but you are just now noticing it as his exercise level returns to normal.
 
I believe you should bring Bandit in right away for an examination and testing. We will perform a heartworm test to see if he has heartworms and may do a radiograph of his chest to evaluate his heart as well.   Prevention should be given year round without interruption.  Your proximity to the river is concerning as Heartworms are contracted through mosquito bites.  You do not have to live next to a river to contract heartworms though.  A mosquito may carry heartworms at anytime and may live through a winter if they are able to hide in warm areas, especially in urban regions. 
 
If you have left over heartworm prevention from last year please do not start it until we test Bandit as giving prevention to a dog carrying a large burden of heartworms can be fatal to him.  Please call us to schedule Bandit’s appointment at your earliest convenience.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Categories

    All
    Cats
    Dogs
    Events
    Exam Room Questions
    Food
    Sick Pet

    Archives

    July 2020
    June 2020
    October 2019
    July 2019
    August 2018
    May 2018
    December 2017
    July 2017
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    November 2015
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014

    RSS Feed

Pipestone Veterinary Services - White Logo
2830 North Court Street
Ottumwa, IA 52501
Phone: 641.682.2291
View a larger map
Office Hours
Monday - Friday:
7:30 am to 5:30 pm
Saturday:
7:30 am to 12:00 pm
Sunday:
Closed
See your pet on Petly - As your pet's personal health page, Petly is a special place for you and your pet. You're just one click away! - GO TO PETLY
Connect with Us
Facebook icon
Email Icon
Review Us Online
Yelp Icon
Google Plus Icon

Site Powered by Weebly. Managed by IDEXX Laboratories.
Privacy Policy   |   Terms of Service
  • Our Services
    • Boarding
    • Hospice and Euthanasia
    • Nutritional Counseling
    • Parasite Prevention
    • X-Rays
    • Senior Care
    • Wellness Exams
    • Dental Care
    • Fully Stocked Pharmacy
    • Microchipping
    • Pain Management
    • Puppy and Kitten Care
    • Surgery
    • Vaccinations
  • News & Events
  • Current Specials
  • About Us
    • Our Team
    • Locations
    • Testimonials
    • CAREERS
    • Contact Us