Adult heartworms living in the heart and lungs can cause severe damage to the tissues in these organs. This can lead to heart and lung disease. Symptoms of affected dogs often include coughing, breathing difficulty, excessive panting, sudden collapse and even sudden death.
Do heartworms cause heavy breathing?
The signs of heartworm disease which you are most likely to notice include coughing, sluggishness, rapid tiring, and labored breathing.
Do heartworms affect dogs breathing?
Panting, Shallow Breathing Also, as the heartworms block vessels, the areas around these vessels will see fluid build-up, making it even harder for your dog to breathe and get oxygen, causing him to take more shallow, rapid breaths.
What are the final stages of heartworms in dogs?
Not all dogs with heartworm disease develop into stage 4. But if it is left untreated, heartworm disease will progress and damage the dog's heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys, eventually causing death.
How does a dog act with heartworms?
Active dogs, dogs heavily infected with heartworms, or those with other health problems often show pronounced clinical signs. Signs of heartworm disease may include a mild persistent cough, reluctance to exercise, fatigue after moderate activity, decreased appetite, and weight loss.
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