Heartworm Prevention - What are the Clinical Signs of Heartworm Disease?

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What are the Clinical Signs of Heartworm Disease?

Heartworms may cause dysfunction affecting blood circulation, heart, liver and kidneys. Heart and lung are the most common organs that can contain heartworms. Often, dogs do not show signs of heart worm disease for up to two years. When the disease is recognized, it is often well advanced. Below is a list of dog heartworm symptoms that are common if heartworms in dogs are present:

Acute Heartworm Disease	No abnormal clinical signs are observed in dogs with acute heartworm disease.
Mild Heartworm Disease	Your dog may have a cough.
Moderate Heartworm Disease	Signs of a moderate heartworm disease are exercise intolerance, cough and abnormal lung sounds.
Severe Heartworm Disease	Typical dog heartworm symptoms are exercise intolerance, cough, breathing difficulties (dyspnea), abnormal lung sounds, enlargement of the liver (hepatomegaly), temporary loss of consciousness due to poor blood flow to the brain (syncope), fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity (ascites), abnormal heart sounds, weight loss, loss of stamina and death.

It is important that you visit a qualified veterinarian if your pet shows these dog heartworm symptoms.