Wichitans are looking forward to the approaching springtime weather (as am I!) With warmer temperatures, detestable creatures like mosquitoes become active and multiply. Mosquitoes are the means of canine and feline heart-worm transmission. A bite from an affected mosquito injects a heart-worm larva under the skin. This larva enters the bloodstream, goes through several life stage changes and within seven months attaches to the pulmonary artery (main artery between the heart and lungs).
In canine heart-worm disease, the lining of the pulmonary artery thickens around the attachment site over time. This results in right-sided heart failure and eventual death of the infected dog. The disease process in cats causes asthma-like disease that is equally as deadly. Heart-worm treatment in dogs is lengthy and expensive. The drug that kills heart-worms contains arsenic, which can cause a number of unpleasant side-effects. The treatment for feline heart-worm disease is purely symptomatic, since the arsenic-containing drug used to treat dogs can be deadly to cats.
A better option to heart-worm disease treatment is simply preventing the infection in the first place. A blood test is performed to insure the disease is not present. Once a negative test is confirmed, your veterinarian will recommend a prevention program. In most cases, a product that is administered monthly is prescribed. Heart-worm tablets or chews eliminate the early stages of heart-worm prior to their maturation. Consistent treatment year-round for ALL dogs and cats is very important to insure that your pet does not contract heart-worm disease. Missed doses can result in infection. Recently an injectable heart-worm prevention has become available that prevents canine heart-worm infection for 6 months. It is important that your veterinarian repeat this treatment consistently. Feline heart-worm is preventable with a monthly chewable or a monthly topical that prevents flea infestations as well.
Heart-worm is deadly—prevention is key!
Health Benefits of Pet Ownership
The company of a pet relaxes and entertains people, but the benefits of pet ownership go beyond simple joy. Studies have shown that keeping a pet improves the health and well-being of the people in the household. During stressful times, the comfort of a pet protects against depression and loneliness. Animal companions ward off depression and loneliness among people with AIDS and Alzheimer’s disease. Stressful situations have less of an impact on elderly pet owners and visit their physician less frequently.
Pets allow their owners to feel needed as nurturers, while also nurturing their owner. An animal’s unconditional affection often increases the owner’s ability to cope with personal setbacks and depression and can reduce loneliness. Individuals who live “alone” with a pet are actually part of a family; they can look forward to being greeted and recognized when they walk in the door. Caring for a pet can make its owner feel needed and provide reasons for living and staying healthy.
Pets motivate people to be more active and social. Pets are conversation-starters, help to make new acquaintances. Walking the dog provides not only physical exercise but also an opportunity to interact with humans living and more vulnerable to depression. Dog-walking and being outdoors where social contact is possible are healthful effects of dog ownership.
The comfort, social interaction, and motivation provided by pets improve cardiovascular health and lower blood pressure. Physical and verbal interaction can lower blood pressure. One study of hypertensive patients showed those who were given pets handled stressful tasks better than those who relied on blood pressure medication alone. Research shows people are more likely to survive the year after a heart attack if they have both a companion dog and a human social support network. Animal companionship is commonly linked to lower death rates and better long-term health.