Australian National Kennel Council Registered Breeder

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Canine heartworm is a parasitic worm that lives in the pulmonary (lung) arteries of the infected dog. Heartworm can cause heart and lung disease, and death if left untreated.

Mosquitoes are the carrier of heartworm from dog to dog. Your dog only needs to be bitten by a carrier mosquito to get infected with heartworm.  All dogs, whether living indoors or outdoors, are at risk of developing heartworm.

Heartworm is treatable. However severe infections may cause permanent damage to the dog’s heart and lungs.

HEATWORM LIFE CYCLE

Dogs do not show immediate signs of heartworm infection. This will depend on the severity of the infection, and on the health and size of your dog. Common signs include:

Coughing, Lack of energy,  Reluctance to exercise, Weight loss

Heartworm infection occurs in many areas of Australia but is most common in the Northern Territory, Queensland, northern New South Wales and northern Western Australia. However, heartworm infected dogs are found as far south as Melbourne.

Heartworm preventatives are available from your veterinarian. They are available in a daily or monthly form.  We start all of our dogs on Heartworm Preventative at 4 months of age.  This way the expensive testing is not necessary. 

There is now an Annual vaccination available for Heartworm Prevention but we do not recommend this injection for Dobermanns.