Dr. Donald Powers of the Lakewood Animal Hospital, speaking on behalf of a group of veterinarians Friday, explained there was a positive case of heartworm disease in a dog in Regina this past winter. The dog died as a result of the disease.
Heartworm, a blood parasite, is a big problem in other parts of North America, but there never has been a Saskatchewan case, prior to this one, in a dog that originated in the province — though one or two cases have been identified in dogs that came from out of the province or country, he noted.
Because the dog at the centre of the most recent case was picked up stray, it is unknown if the dog originated in the city or came from elsewhere. Due to the maturity of the worms, there is a feeling the dog came from elsewhere — but the veterinarians wanted to ensure the public is aware of the concern, Powers said.
"At this point in time, because there hasn't been a large number of cases in Saskatchewan, and because we are not aware that this dog originated from Regina, or even Saskatchewan, at the present time, we're not that concerned — but we do want to make people aware that this disease exists," Powers added.
Heartworm can pose a serious threat to both dogs and cats. The large, round worms live near the right side of an animal's heart and the blood vessels that supply the lungs. The worms survive on nutrients, stolen from the bloodstream, and can grow to a length of 15 to 30 centimetres. If not treated, heartworms can damage the heart, lungs and internal organs. Severe damage could mean death.
Heartworms are spread by mosquitoes. A mosquito bites an infected dog, or, often, a wild animal, and then bites another dog, transferring the disease. Immature worms are injected, which develop further and migrate to the heart and lungs. The contagious nature of the disease is one of the concerning factors.
Signs and symptoms — which include listlessness, chronic cough, laboured breathing and weight loss — are detectable only after the disease has progressed, and the damage has happened.
Prevention is the key. A veterinarian can conduct a test for heartworms. If it is positive, then one treatment is available to kill the adult worms and another is available to kill immature worms in the bloodstream. If the test is negative, a preventative medication can be given.
That medication usually is taken once a month throughout mosquito season, which is considered, generally, to begin May 1 and end in October, Powers said.
"It's just something for (pet owners) to discuss with their veterinarian, based on what their pet's lifestyle is — whether they travel, especially throughout Canada and the United States, because there are areas in Canada and the United States where it's at higher prevalence. If they travel there, it's a good idea to be on medication," he said.