Rabies: A fatal viral infection of the central nervous system that can affect all mammals, including humans. The virus is transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. Routine vaccination is the key to controlling this dreaded disease.

Distemper (CDV): A widespread and often fatal disease which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, pneumonia and neurological problems.

Hepatitis (CAV-1): A viral disease which may lead to severe damage of the liver, kidneys, spleen and lungs.

Parvovirus (CPV): A highly contagious and potentially fatal disease which may cause severe vomiting and bloody diarrhea. It is especially dangerous in young dogs, but all unvaccinated dogs are at risk of contracting this severe disease.

Coronavirus (CCV): A contagious viral infection of the gastrointestinal tract which causes vomiting and diarrhea. Puppies are particularly susceptible to this disease.

Leptospirosis: A bacterial infection that ma lead to permanent kidney and liver damage. It is contagious to humans and dogs and is spread through contact with infected urine or contaminated soil or water.

Lyme Disease: A disease transmitted by ticks which infects both humans and dogs. This disease can damage joints, kidneys and other tissues.

Heartworm disease is a serious health problem in many parts of the world. It is caused by the roundworm, Dirofilaria immitis. D immitis is a parasite that lives in the heart and major arteries of the lungs. Yet it is an infection that can be prevented?

Heartworms have been found in a variety of wild and domestic animals. Mosquitoes carry immature forms of the heartworm from an infected animal to a new host by taking a blood meal from both animals. As the mosquito feeds from the first animal, usually a dog, it picks up the microfilariae (the offspring of adult heartworms) as it engorges with blood.

These microfilariae mature in the mosquito, developing into the infective form, the larval state of D. immitis. When the mosquito subsequently bites another animal, the larvae are introduced to the new host through the bite wound. The larvae eventually make their way to the heart and associated blood vessels by migrating through the body. Inside the heart they mature and begin producing microfilariae, completing the lifecycle. These new microfilariae are then ready to be passed on to another dog or cat.

The severity and onset of clinical signs relate to three things: the number of worms, the duration of the infection and the dog’s response. Many dogs infected with heartworms may not show any evidence of the infection in the early stages of the disease. Signs can eventually appear and will worsen with increased number of worms and with lengthy infections, making early detection and prevention programs an important part of managing your pet’s health.

Initially dogs tend to develop a cough and experience difficulty breathing. They may also exhibit a decreased tolerance to exercise, develop fainting episodes or suffer severe weight loss. Since the heart and lungs are affected, many of the clinical signs seen or observed are typical of the heart failure patient or the pet with pneumonia or other debilitating disease. Many other less serious diseases can cause similar clinical signs, so it is almost impossible between heartworm disease based on clinical signs alone. A simple blood test is performed to definitively diagnose heartworm infection.

Fortunately, heartworm infection can be prevented, if preventives are started early and are consistently given throughout the dog’s life. There are a number of medications available that prevent heartworm infection in dogs.

However, preventives will not eliminate an existing infections. Knowing the heartworm infection status of your dog is an important part of keeping your dog healthy and fit and therefore we perform a heartworm test each year with your dogs annual exam.

Medical intervention is necessary to achieve a favorable outcome for the dog infected with heartworms. We choose a course of action that will most effectively deal with your dog’s disease and clinical signs. Medications to eliminate adult heartworms and immature heartworms are available. Once successfully treated, preventives and regular monitoring should become part of your dog’s health maintenance plan.