| One of the most devastating parasites which may | | | | to two years. Sadly, by the time the disease starts to |
| threaten your Pit Bull is the heartworm. These nasty | | | | show signs in the dog, it is in the advanced stage. |
| creatures can linger in your pet for years before | | | | These signs depend on several factors, such as the |
| dealing a death blow to your Pit Bull. Heartworms are | | | | number of adult worms and microfilariae present, as |
| treatable, but it is best to use a protective stance | | | | well as their location. The length of time the infection |
| rather than wait for infection to occur.This disease is | | | | has been present, and the amount of damage already |
| not spread from pet to pet via contact, but by another | | | | done to the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys are all |
| nasty creature we all know as the mosquito. The | | | | essential factors.Signs of Heartworm InfestationThe |
| mosquito is a necessary link in the transfer of the | | | | most obvious outward signs of heartworms |
| disease. The number of dogs infected with | | | | are:Unexplained weight loss.A dry almost constant |
| heartworms always increases during the height of | | | | cough with labored breathing.Shortness of |
| mosquito season. Long mosquito seasons will increase | | | | breath.Sudden weakness.A sudden show of |
| the rate of infections rapidly. Once heartworms are | | | | nervousness or listlessness, accompanied by a loss of |
| transmitted by the mosquito into the dog's blood | | | | stamina.The signs of heartworms are most noticeable |
| stream, they travel through the blood into the heart and | | | | after the dog has been engaged in exercise or play. |
| the major pulmonary blood vessels. The heartworms | | | | Some dogs with heartworms may even faint or drop |
| are in the immature stage and are called | | | | dead suddenly right after engaging in rigorous play or |
| microfilaria.Upon arriving in the heart, the microfilaria will | | | | exercise.Treatment for heartworms is available but it is |
| set up residence and grow into adult heartworms. | | | | costly and in some cases may prove fatal to the dog |
| These fully grown parasites cause heart blockage and | | | | itself. To prevent this horrible disease in your Pit Bull, be |
| damage to surrounding tissues by clogging the heart | | | | sure to keep your dog's regular vet appointments. |
| and the major blood vessels leading from the heart. | | | | Heartworms can be prevented easily by administering |
| Adult heartworms will also interfere with the valve | | | | heartworm medication to your pet each month.As |
| action within the heart. When the heart and main blood | | | | always, talk to your vet if you have any concerns that |
| vessels get clogged, the blood flow to other critical | | | | your dog may have heartworms, and never try to |
| organs is reduced, which can cause problems for the | | | | treat the disease on your own. Always consult a |
| liver, kidneys and lungs, resulting in organ failure.Most | | | | properly qualified professional before starting any type |
| dogs which are infected with heartworms will not | | | | of treatments on your dog. |
| show any outward signs of disease for as long as up | | | | |