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Reference Articles
Stop! Don't Litter! Spay or Neuter Below are a few links and articles from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine Office of Public Engagement: No Excuse for Heartworms Pet Column for the week of March 17, 2003 Office of Public Engagement Even though it may still be chilly outside right now, heartworm season is approaching fast. In April pet owners are going to have to start preparing for the inevitable onslaught of the dreaded mosquito. Heartworm-a parasite transmitted by these little blood-sucking fiends-should be taken seriously by all dog and cat owners. It can be deadly, yet it is very easy to prevent. With all of the resources available to prevent this disease, no pet should ever contract it. This parasite is an actual worm that lives in the pulmonary vessels of the heart (the vessels that carry blood to the lungs to pick up oxygen). "They can grow to be up to 12 inches long," says Dr. Allan Paul, a veterinarian parasitologist at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in Urbana, "and if the infestation is severe enough can even live in the heart itself." As they increase in number the worms begin to take up space in the heart and pulmonary vessels causing high blood pressure, difficulty in breathing, and eventually death due to heart failure. Heartworm is spread from animal to animal by mosquitoes. When the mosquito feeds on the blood of an infected animal, immature worms (called microfilaria) enter the mosquito. The microfilaria must then undergo an incubation period inside the mosquito during which the temperature outside must be constantly warm for several weeks. Because of this developmental period, danger of infection for pets begins in the spring after a few weeks of warm weather. After the heartworm has reached the infective stage inside the mosquito, it is passed to a new host animal when the mosquito bites again. After entering the new host microfilaria must spend up to five months maturing before they migrate to the pulmonary arteries. During this developmental period the worms cannot be detected, so veterinarians recommend testing for heartworm every spring in case infection occurred the previous summer. Once the worms reach the pulmonary arteries, they grow and reproduce, releasing more microfilaria into the bloodstream. The next mosquito that bites this host animal then carries the heartworm microfilaria to its next victim, starting the cycle of infection anew. Signs of heartworm include coughing, fainting, fatigue, and difficulty breathing. Animals may have heartworm for several years before showing any sign of the disease, and when signs finally occur, the heart and pulmonary arteries are often so full of worms that treatment becomes very risky. Treatment for this disease can be just as taxing to the animal as the infection. The primary treatment available for heartworms is a form of arsenic administered at doses designed to kill the worms but not the dog. Although this treatment is safer today than in the past, there is a risk that the animal may die during treatment. Cats are not as susceptible to heartworm infection as dogs are; however, in areas where incidence of heartworm is high in dogs, some cats will inevitably contract heartworm disease as well. According to Dr. Paul, it is theorized that the lower incidence in cats is due to the cat's ability to fight off the infection. Signs of heartworm in cats include coughing, difficult breathing, and intermittent vomiting. Sudden collapse and death can also occur as a result of even a single worm infection. Without a doubt, the easiest way to keep your pet from getting this disease is to prevent infection. The preventative, in easy-to-administer pills, should be given only after a negative heartworm test each spring. Some preventatives, if given to an animal that already has heartworm, may cause a life-threatening reaction. In addition, if the heartworms are already present in the animal, the preventative will not kill them, leaving them free to cause damage and eventual heart failure. The preventative acts by killing the infective forms of the worm before they have a chance to develop into adults. With all of the products available to prevent this disease, there no reason for any pet to contract heartworm. If you have any questions about heartworm, please contact your local veterinarian. Animal Abuse Closely Linked to Human Abuse Pet Column for the week of February 3, 2003 Office of Public Engagement "There is no doubt that there is a link between animal abuse and human abuse," says Dr. Rhonda Schulman, a veterinarian at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital. "The statistics are frightening, but it is important that everyone, including veterinarians, recognize this serious problem because animal abuse in a home is very likely a sign of an even bigger problem within that family." It is estimated that nearly 90 percent of pets living in homes where domestic abuse is taking place are either abused or killed, and nearly 60 percent of women who seek assistance from shelters to escape abuse have had a pet killed by an abuser. "In an abusive situation the family pet is often used by the abuser as leverage to control the person being abused. Threat of harm to a beloved pet can be a very powerful tool for the abuser," says Dr. Schulman. "Abuse of the pet is also a way to inflict mental anguish on the abused." Many women are reluctant to leave the abuser for fear that the pet will be harmed. Until recently there have been few options for abused women with pets. Now domestic violence shelters have begun to implement ways to protect not only the women and children but their pets as well. "Abuse can also be self-propagating within a family," says Dr. Schulman. "For instance, the mother or father abuses the child and then the child abuses the pet. This is sometimes the only way that the child can assume any sense of personal power." Witnessing the abuse of a family pet can influence children to become abusive later in life, because they have learned the behavior through observing and through identification with the abuser. Studies have also shown that children who torture animals are at higher risk than others to grow up to use violence against people. Many adults who have committed serial murders or mass violence tortured animals as children. "This means that if a child is exhibiting this sort of behavior, it is extremely important to take it seriously and intervene while there is still a chance to positively influence the child's development," says Dr. Schulman. "Veterinarians are starting to take a more active role in spotting abuse and providing help for people who are in abusive situations; however, many veterinarians still do not ask questions when presented with suspicious circumstances, either because they do not wish to be involved or because they don't know how to help," says Dr. Schulman. It has been shown that woman in abusive situations will seek medical care for themselves and their pets when they feel it is safe to do so. They may not volunteer how the injuries came about, but may give such information if asked. "Sometimes all it takes is asking," says Dr. Schulman. "As a profession, veterinarians need to start getting involved. Simply posting flyers for the local women's shelter in the veterinary clinic might encourage women to seek help if they need it." Part of recognizing abuse is knowing what to look for. Abuse can be suspected if the family has many pets but none of them seems to live longer than a couple of years of age or if there are repeated incidences of blunt trauma to the pet, such as an abnormally high number of "hit by car" accidents. "In order to help people at risk, we all have to work together, and that includes professionals in all areas of health care, including veterinary medicine," says Dr. Schulman. In Champaign County, people who need help can call A Woman's Place at 217/384-4390.
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