Roundworm is another name for heartworm, a very serious condition that can affect your dog. Gun dogs, especially, are prone to this condition as they are often outdoors and in wooded areas. Not only can roundworm affect your dog, but it can be transmitted to humans as well. Although humans do not exhibit the same symptoms of this disease, they can transmit the disease to other dogs.
Roundworm is a parasitic disease that is spread to dogs usually through mosquitoes. Gun dogs, however, may get roundworm from being around other dogs that are infested as well as coming into contact with other animals often found in the woods such as coyotes or foxes. Prevention of roundworm is essential in your gun dog as treatment can be very difficult. Often, roundworm leads to death.
Prevention of Roundworm
Roundworm, or heartworm, should be prevented by giving your dog a tablet that he will take every month. You should mark this date on your calendar each month so that you do not forget to give him the pill. This simple pill can potentially save the life of your dog. Often, by the time that roundworm is discovered, it is too late to do anything to treat the animal.
Dogs that are pets are often treated to prevent roundworm during the summer months for those that are living in four season climates as the primary carrier of the disease are mosquitoes. Gun dogs, on the other hand, should be given preventative tablets all year long as they are more likely to come into contact with other animals that may carry the parasite.
Symptoms of Roundworm
Early symptoms of roundworm are usually not detected as they are very subtle. The roundworm will remain in the system of your dog for six months after infestation, after which they will begin to spread through the other organs, including the brain. Many times, the symptoms will present as a cough. You will find your dog coughing and not having the same amount of energy as he once had. He may also start to lose weight. This condition can persist for months before it becomes noticeable. Eventually, roundworm often leads to heart failure.
Diagnosis of Roundworm
Roundworm can be diagnosed by the use of a blood test. There is a difference between the female roundworm infection and the male infections with the male infections easier to treat. The earlier you get the diagnosis of roundworm for your dog, the better his chances of getting the treatment he needs to save his life. It is possible to treat and cure roundworm in your dog.
Treatment of Roundworm
The treatment of roundworm is very extensive and costly. The roundworms must be destroyed and this is usually done with a prescription. This is also very taxing on your dog. After this treatment, your dog will begin to excrete dead worms in his stool. Follow up treatment is often necessary to make sure that all of the worms are out of his system.
The problem with treating roundworm is that damage is often done to the organs that have been infested. Treatment for roundworm in your dog depends on the amount of damage that has already been done to your dog, the age of your dog and his general health.
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