Heartworms are transmitted via the mosquito as the carrier host - Dogs get heartworms when an infected mosquito bites them. Severe infestation can cause sudden death as Heartworms can obstruct the heart and blood vessels leading to high blood pressure and causing heart failure.

Dog Health Problems - Transmission of Worms including Heartworms
Heartworms are transmitted via mosquito bites. Microfilaria penetrates the dog's skin and travels through the body to the heart.

Dog Health Problems - Symptoms of Heartworms
The symptoms of Heartworms are as follows:

• Coughing
• Weight loss
• Apathy

Dog Health Information - Treatment for Heartworms
Heartworm infection occurs throughout the USA but is particularly common in mosquito infected areas. As the treatment is both expensive and dangerous it is necessary in high risk areas to obtain preventative medication from your canine Health specialist. In this case prevention really is better than cure! The treatment for Heart worm is as follows:

• Medication to kill the adult heartworm in the heart
• Medication to kill the microfilaria
• Preventative medication to prevent recontamination via mosquito bites

Treatment is normally successful in the early stages of the disease, however, if damage has already occurred to the heart the parasite might be destroyed but the symptoms remain for life.