Filaria in dogs is a serious disease, known popularly as “heartworm”. It is a parasite that settles in the heart or in the pulmonary vessels of these animals. This worm can grow to measure about 30 centimetres, and the consequences for your dog could be very significant, even putting its life at risk.
What are the causes of filaria?
Unfortunately, there is no element that can clearly help you to prevent filaria in your dog. This parasite, called Dirofilaria immitis, is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito, which is why it is almost impossible to control. However, it is feasible to reduce the probability of this happening if you use some antiparasitic product or mosquito repellent that is specially indicated for dogs.
What are the symptoms of filaria?
If your dog has filaria it will not be easy for you to identify it. On many occasions the cough or the tiredness can make you think it has eaten something unsuitable or has caught a cold. It can also show an unexplained weight loss, which one might relate to other circumstances that have nothing to do with filaria.
A symptom that should indeed alert you to rush to the vet immediately is bleeding from the nose, but it does not always happen. Therefore, the best thing is that, faced with any of the symptoms described, you go and ask your vet. If you do not and you wait to see how the symptoms evolve, your dog’s situation could get worse. And a lot.
How is filaria treated?
This disease is treated, mainly, with injections of antiparasitic drugs that make it possible to kill the parasite that is invading the animal’s heart or pulmonary vessels. But this is not usually enough. To eliminate the larvae and finally get the dog to be free of filaria, it will have to take antiparasitic tablets for the period of time the vet considers appropriate.
However, and unfortunately, this treatment can have side effects for your pet: the tablets can encourage the formation of blood clots. In the most serious situations, hospitalisation of the animal could even be necessary. And, as you can imagine, the costs of the treatment will not be exactly low. That is why it is worth having insurance for your dog.
Gain peace of mind with veterinary insurance
The injections can cost up to €100 and hospitalisation of the dog, depending on the clinic, can come to about €40 a day. Taking out pet insurance will mean you do not have to worry about anything in this respect. You will gain peace of mind and be able to look after your companion as it deserves so that it recovers from filaria as soon as possible.
Remember that filaria in dogs can be fatal, so do not wait to see how the symptoms evolve. If in any doubt, go to your trusted vet. Filaria is a problem that cannot always be prevented, even if you use antiparasitics or insect repellents. That is why speed will be your best ally in helping your furry companion to become the joy of the house again.
