Affects of Heartworms
Why Heartworms are so Dangerous
Once in the heart and lungs, the heartworm immediately causes damage and inflammation. Also, the arteries become clogged as the worms grow. This causes poor function of the heart and progressively destroys the lungs.
This damage and clogging will eventually cause heart failure. In some cases, a dog will show few signs – then suddenly experience heart failure. Other times the signs will start subtle, then progressively worsen. Signs include fatigue, coughing, shortness of breath, nose bleeds, heart irregularities, and secondary infection of pneumonia can occur.
In addition to the damage from the heartworms, the bodies own defenses also cause harm. In an attempt to fight the heartworms, the immune system produces antibodies (proteins). These proteins settle out into fragile organs such as the eyes, kidneys, blood vessels, and joints where they cause inflammation, damage, and pain.
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