HOW DOES A DOG ACT WHEN HE HAS HEARTWORMS?

Question

what are the symthoms of heart worms in my small dog

Answer 1

No symptoms in the early states.

Difficulty breathing, gasping, coughin up blood in  the late stages - by which time it is usually fatal.

Get your dog tested for heartworm, it is cheap, a quick drop of blood looked at in your vet's office, you have your answer right away and heartworm can be treated quite successfully in its early stages.

If your dog tests negative, put him on a monthly heartworm preventative, it is cheap and completely effective.

Do NOT wait, heartworm is always fatal eventually and so easy to prevent.

Answer 2

hi,

Heartworms are exactly what they sound like: thin, spaghetti-like worms that can grow up to 12 inches long and that live inside the dog's heart. Untreated, they can lead to congestive heart failure. Heartworm disease isn't a wait-and-see proposition--prevention is part of taking good care of your dog. Even if your dog spends little time outside, there's a good chance he'll become infected without treatment. It's that common.

here's more info:

http://dogtime.com/heartworm.html

hope this helps.

Answer 3

Sometimes, the early stage has no outward symptoms.

Cough /almost gagging

Not playing as much / tires easily

short of breath

sluggish

All dogs should be checked annually and on a h/w preventative.

Answer 4

Coughing

Bloody sputum

Heavy Breathing

Difficulty Exercising

Fluid build up in the abdomen  

Answer 5

He may be coughing alot. He might start to cough up blood. Have you been giving him heartworm tabs? and do you live in an area where there are lots of mosquitos? You local vet can do a simple blood test to find out if he has heartworm.

I hope he doesn't - the treatment is long and expensive, and there is alot of risk involved.

good luck, and i hope he doesn't have it.