by KYW's Nan Talleno

If you haven’t already done so, make a worthwhile trip to you veterinarian’s office to have your dog checked for an intestinal parasite known as heartworm.  It’s very common in most parts of the United States. 

Let’s look into the stages of the heartworm. The cycle of a heartworm begins with a bite from an infected mosquito carrying the heartworm larvae.  After traveling through the bloodstream, they eventually grow and cluster on the right side of the dog’s heart. Adult worms can reach anywhere from six to twelve inches in length.  If not detected, the growing number of maturing worms can cause a massive blockage of blood flow causing the dog’s heart to fail. If left untreated, conditions can be life threatening.  Symptoms may include lethargy, weight loss, coughing and  trouble breathing. Heartworm can be detected by a blood test. 

Fortunately, however,  heartworm can be easily prevented.  Every dog should be tested for heartworm by your veterinarian.