5 Internal parasites

Heartworm
Heartworm disease caused
by heartworms can be
fatal if left undiagnosed
or untreated. Even when
it is diagnosed, treating
heartworm disease is not
without risks. Therefore,
preventing your dog from
heartworm disease is the
best approach.

27 www.heartgard.com.au
How does my dog get commonly found in regions where
heartworm? mosquitoes are more prevalent, it
is not only confined to these areas
Heartworm infection is found
and heartworm infections have
throughout mainland Australia, in
been diagnosed in nearly all parts of
both dogs and cats. Mosquitoes are
Australia.
the intermediate host and transmit
heartworm larvae from dog to dog.
Although heartworm infection is most

Mosquito ingests
microfilaria with blood
meal from infected dog.

Worms mature Mosquito

and reproduce. bites dog
Six months
after infection
microfilaria may Microfilaria
be found in the develop
blood. into
infective
larvae
Approximately
five months later
Heartworm within the
mosquito.
young adult
worms are present
Life Cycle
in the heart
and pulmonary
arteries.

Mosquito
bites dog
HEARTGARDÇ
eliminates stages
of heartworm
in the tissues - Larvae from
breaking infected mosquito
the life cycle enter dog.
before larvae Larvae develop
develop into adult
within tissues.
worms*
*See product label
for full details.

www.frontlineplus.com.au 28
 What are the signs of Prevent heartworm infection
heartworm infection? with HEARTGARDÇ®
Dogs rarely show immediate signs of
infection. Signs will depend on the
severity of heartworm infection and
on the health and size of your dog.
Common signs include:
• Coughing
• Lack of energy
• Reluctance to exercise
• Weight loss

Heartworms can cause “I use and

serious disease recommend
Heartworms (up to 30cm long in HEARTGARDÇ”
dogs) live in the heart and blood
vessels of the lungs, interfering with
circulation and damaging tissues. This Dr Harry Cooper
may eventually cause heart failure. Left
untreated, this can result in the death
of your pet.

Ask your veterinarian HEARTGARDÇ prevents heartworm

Your veterinarian can test for the
presence of heartworm infection before
starting heartworm prevention for the
first time, or if heartworm prevention
has been missed. It is recommended
to start heartworm prevention from 6
weeks of age and stay on preventative
treatment for the rest of the dog’s life
to avoid canine heartworm disease.
disease and is given once a month as
a meaty chewable treat that your pets
will actually enjoy eating.
Because puppies can be
bitten by mosquitoes soon
after birth, HEARTGARDÇ
is recommended from
6 weeks of age to
control infections
acquired earlier.

29 www.heartgard.com.au

HEARTGARDÇ PLUS prevents
heartworm disease and also treats and
controls two species of roundworms
(Toxocara canis and Toxascaris leonina)
and three species of hookworms
(Ancylostoma caninum, A.brazilienze
and Uncinaria stenocephala).
HEARTGARDÇ is a simple and effective
method of heartworm protection
because it comes as a meaty real beef
chewable. So, treat your pet with the
world’s leading heartworm prevention
every month.ii
Internal
parasites
Other Internal
Parasites
Intestinal worms are a very
common problem in puppies!
They are infected from their
mothers before birth, after
suckling milk, or from their
environment. Intestinal parasitic
infection may cause growth
disorders, anaemia, diarrhoea
and vomiting in puppies.
Effective and regular control and
prevention of these parasites
is essential to protect not only
your puppy’s health, but also
the health of other dogs and
humans that may be in contact.
Protect with PARAGARD® for
all intestinal worms
To care for the health of your pet and
protect your family from the human
health risks associated with some
worms, regular treatment for intestinal
worms with PARAGARD is essential.
There are four major intestinal worms
which infect dogs:
• Hookworms
• Roundworms
• Whipworms
• Tapeworms
www.frontlineplus.com.au 30

Hookworms feed on blood from
the lining of the intestines in dogs
and cats and can cause anaemia and
diarrhoea. Death can occur with heavy
infestations in pups. Hookworms are
especially dangerous worms because
they also pose a health risk to humans.
Roundworms – Pups may be born
with roundworms from an infected
mother, or acquire them soon after
birth. Signs in pups include a pot-belly,
dry coat, stunted growth, diarrhoea,
lung damage and death.
Whipworms – A parasite of the large
bowel, whipworm is more likely to
occur where multiple dogs are housed
together and have access to faecal
material. They feed on their host’s
blood. Heavy infestations may lead
to anaemia and bloody diarrhoea
(haemorrhagic colitis). Dogs of all
ages can be infected by ingestion of
whipworm eggs. Trichuris eggs are
highly resistant and survive in
the external environment
for several years.
Worming products for dogs are not very long lasting. This is why
animals should be re-treated at regular intervals. The de-worming schedule
varies with the risk of infection, your veterinarian will be able to advise.
31 www.heartgard.com.au
Internal
parasites
Tapeworms – Dipylidium caninum
is the most common tapeworm
(cestode) that affects puppies.
Immature Dipylidium caninum
tapeworms are found in fleas. Dogs
ingest these fleas during grooming
and the tapeworm then develops
in the dog’s small intestine. Adult
tapeworm have a segmented body.
Tapeworm segments (full of eggs)
are eliminated with faeces and may
emerge on their own. After drying
out, they look like small rice grains
stuck to the hair around the anus.
Because fleas act as the intermediate
host (or ‘carrier’) for this species
of tapeworm, to be effective, the
treatment for this tapeworm must be
combined with flea control measures.
Tapeworm infestation usually causes
few problems in adult dogs but can
slow the growth of puppies and cause
poor coat condition and anal irritation.
In rural areas, ask your veterinarian
about hydatid tapeworm control,
a parasite with significant human
health implications. They can cause
serious disease related to cyst
formation (hydatid cysts) in some
organs of the body.