Canine Heartworm Disease: Effects and Treatments Traci Smith Eastern Connecticut State University

Clinical and laboratory observations in 91 dogs infected with Dirofilaria immitis in northern Greece Z.S. Polizopoulou, A. F. Koutinas, M. N. Saridomichelakis, M. N. Patsikas, L. S. Leontidis, N. A. Roubies, A. K. Desiris

Background Caused by parasite Dirofilaria immitis Transmitted by mosquitoes Prevalent in warmer weather Prevention is available Treatment is successful

Three types: Type I- asymptomatic Type II- mild to moderate clinical signs Type III- right congestive heart failure

Symptoms Exercise intolerance Chronic cough Weight loss Decreased appetite Congestive heart failure Lethargy

Reasons for the Study To find the most efficient type of treatment To determine the best method of detection To see the long term effects of the disease To see how well subjects recovered

Methods of Study Studied dogs ages 1 to 11 years Examined medical records of 91 dogs infected with heartworm Two types of tests were ran for the detection of heartworm Parasitological test Immunological test X-rays were taken to detect damage to the heart 71 dogs were treated

Treatment Sodium thiacetarsamide (Caparsolate) intavenously twice daily Melarsomine hydrochloride (Immiticide) intramuscularly twice daily All were given oral ivermectin for 4 weeks

Treatment Results Comparison of the two treatment drugs, Caparsolate and Immiticide.

Stages of Heartworm and Occurrence of Death

Summary No differences were found in terms of drug efficacy or complication rate Both detection tests were equally accurate Some dogs treated with Caparsolate suffered kidney damage Six fatalities occurred out of 71 Only 4 dogs had lasting effects on physical performance

Questions?