The independent., July 21, 2005, Page 9, Image 9

The INDEPENDENT, July 21, 2005
Page 9
Mosquitoes pose heartworm risk for pets
Summer activities such as
hiking and camping can put
your pet at risk for contracting
heartworm disease, a serious,
life-threatening condition that
can affect both dogs and cats.
Caused by the adult stage of
the parasite Dirofilaria immitis,
the infection may cause inflam­
mation and thickening of the
pulmonary arteries, and dam­
age to the heart, liver and kid­
neys. If untreated, it can lead to
heart disease and death.
“Heartworm disease is pres­
ent in Oregon, even in the met­
ropolitan areas,” according to
Dr. Gary Wood, a member of
the Oregon Veterinary Medical
Association and a veterinary
cardiologist.
Transmission: Mosquitoes
are the carriers of heartworm
disease. The life cycle of a
heartworm begins when a mos­
quito bites an infected animal
carrying microfilariae in its
blood. If the mosquito bites an­
other cat or dog, it transmits the
larvae to that animal. About six
to eight months after the initial
mosquito bite, the larvae arrive
at the heart.
Diagnosis: Your veterinarian
may test a blood sample for the
antigens (proteins) produced
by adult heartworms. The sam­
ple may also be examined un­
der a microscope for the pres­
ence of the heartworm larvae.
More laboratory tests, including
X-rays, may be required to
make a diagnosis. Signs of in­
fection in dogs include a chron­
ic cough (which is the most
common symptom and a sign
of advanced illness), lack of en­
ergy or endurance, difficulty
breathing, loss of appetite or
weight loss. Signs of infection
in cats include: cough, difficulty
breathing, vomiting, sluggish­
ness or weight loss.
Treatment for Dogs: If de­
tected early enough, most dogs
can be treated successfully.
The goal is to kill both the adult
heartworms and the larvae.
The approved treatment is an
arsenical compound adminis­
tered through a series of injec-
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tions. This requires hospitaliza­
tion and close supervision by a
veterinarian. When treatment
for the adult heartworms is
complete, another drug is ad­
ministered to kill the heartworm
larvae remaining in the blood­
stream. Only when tests show
a dog to be free from heart-
worms is a preventative med­
ication prescribed.
Treatment for Cats: Current­
ly, there is no approved product
for the treatment of heartworm
disease in cats. However, a
spontaneous cure is not un­
common, so treatment is aimed
at helping cats tolerate the dis­
ease, rather than eliminating it.
It is important to note that, in
Oregon, heartworm disease is
a far greater risk to dogs than
to cats.
Prevention: When it comes
to detecting heartworm dis­
ease, observing your pet’s
health is not enough. Clinical
symptoms develop very slowly;
in fact, there may be no visible
warning signs that a dog or cat
is sick until the disease has
reached an advanced stage.
Prevention is simple compared
to the expense and risk of treat­
ment.
Several medicines are avail­
able to prevent heartworm dis­
ease, including once-a-month
pills or flavored treats and topi-
cals, some of which can also
protect your pet against fleas
and other types of worms.
There is no vaccine for heart-
worm disease. Talk with your
veterinarian about testing and
the appropriate preventive
treatment to help keep your pet
safe from heartworm disease.
Information provided by the
Oregon Veterinary Medical Asso­
ciation, a nonprofit organization of
every time there was a Big
H ello Boom and there were plenty of
M«**
Summer them. I hope the party had
oh, enough battery left to start the
car. Oh, yes, best parade entry
yes it is.
Have other than the kids were the
“Jazzy Gals.”
y o u
And, please don’t tell me
b e e n
w alking there isn’t anyone else in town
at
the that does not think the school
bands should march and play
la k e
since the 4th of July? Notice in the 4th of July Parade. No
any sunning snakes? When the excuse that school is out for the
fellow mowed the tall grass he summer. When we were kids it
must have disturbed their was a ‘given,’ you marched on
Home Sweet Home. Personal­ the 4th to show respect.
Have you noticed you can’t
ly, I enjoy seeing them sunning
themselves but they sure have get to Hillsboro as fast as you
shook up a few walkers who used to? Leave early, come
weren’t aware that snakes in­ home late - road delays. That’s
how I know it’s summer.
habit the lake, too.
All for now, I’m off to a rest at
About the 4th fireworks, they
were WOW. Most interesting Tuality for a couple of days. I’ll
was the car alarm that went off miss you.
By Jacqueline Ramsay
Thank you.. •••
Your generous donations made the
4th of July Fireworks possible:
Above, one of the competitors shooting a balloon from
horseback at the CMSA NW Regional Mounted Shooters
competition held at Anderson Park on July 15 and 16.
Marquis Care
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3300 19th Avenue, Forest Grove (503) 357-7119
Vintage Suites
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• Large Homey Apartments • Creative Meals
• Laundry • Housekeeping • Transportation
3336 19th Avenue, Forest Grove (503) 359-1129
H
■
Allan Hein Construction, U.S. Bank,
Buckner Land Salvage, Sports People NW,
KLS Surveying, Inc., Jack & Tobie Finzel,
Vernonia Dental, Gwin & Son Logging,
Holce Logging, Bridge S tre e t Mini M a rt,
Vernonia Realty & Insurance, Daniel Koch,
Loren & Robyn Dennis, Skidmore & Son,
Vernonia Chamber of Commerce, RSG,
Cedarside, Kathleen & Don Tiffney,
Triple S Saw, Nancy & Errold Burch,
Curls Transportation, TNW Fireworks,
Vernonia Ridge Riders, Archie Dass,
Black Bear Coffee Co., Cedar Ridge,
Jim & Marie Krahn, Vernonia True Value,
Out on a Limb, Josephine Ricker,
Celestial Tyedye, The Independent,
Mike Pihl, Vernonia Sentry M arket,
Vernonia & Forest Grove Jazzercise.
We also want to thank those who
attended the spaghetti dinner, gave
at the fireworks or in a can at a store.
- Vernonia Pride