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Written by: Kristyn Carr, DVM of Kindness Pet Hospital
Canine heartworm disease is caused by a parasite called Dirofilaria immitis. Dirofilaria immitis has a somewhat complicated lifecycle involving several larval stages and multiple hosts. Immature heartworms, referred to as microfilariae, circulate in the bloodstream of infected dogs. When an infected dog is bitten by a mosquito, the microfilariae enter the mosquito’s salivary glands and mature through several stages. Once the microfilariae reach a certain stage (known as the L3 stage), they become able to infect other dogs through the bite of the mosquito.
When a dog is bitten by a mosquito containing the infective microfilariae, the microfilariae mature further and migrate through the dog’s skin and muscle tissue to enter the dog’s circulatory system. Full maturation of microfilariae into adult heartworms takes 6-9 months. Adult heartworms live in a dog’s pulmonary artery (a major blood vessel between the heart and lungs). Adult heartworms reproduce in the dog’s pulmonary artery, creating more microfilariae that circulate in the dog’s bloodstream. These microfilariae are ingested by mosquitoes and result in infection of other dogs.
While most cases of canine heartworm disease are diagnosed with routine testing of asymptomatic dogs, common clinical signs of heartworm disease include coughing, increased resting respiratory rate, and exercise intolerance or shortness of breath. Signs of advanced heartworm disease include a distended abdomen, lethargy, severe exercise intolerance or shortness of breath, and collapse.
Several tests exist for detecting canine heartworm disease. Most tests detect a protein (known as heartworm antigen) that is produced by female heartworms. These antigen tests are typically performed as part of a dog’s annual veterinary visit. Other tests detect circulating microfilariae in a dog’s blood. The recommended tests will vary depending on a particular dog’s situation, i.e., whether the dog has been on heartworm prevention, the presence or absence of clinical signs, etc.
Once a diagnosis of heartworm disease is made, your veterinarian may recommend further testing to “stage” the disease or determine its severity. Staging tests commonly include bloodwork and chest X-rays, but further testing, such as an abdominal ultrasound, may be recommended if the disease is severe.
The “gold standard” treatment for heartworm disease is a series of three injections of a medication called melarsomine. Melarsomine is an arsenic-based compound that kills adult heartworms. Steroids and an antibiotic called doxycycline are used in conjunction with melarsomine to maximize treatment efficacy and minimize treatment side effects. The exact timing of these adjunct medications and injections is beyond the scope of this article, but can be discussed with your veterinarian. Also, additional resources are provided at the end of this article. After treatment, it takes 6-9 months for a dog to test negative for heartworms. Of course, not all infected dogs can tolerate treatment this aggressive, and in those cases, veterinarians or shelter staff may reach for the “slow kill” method.
The “slow kill” method is a bit of a misnomer, as it does not kill adult heartworms. Rather, the slow kill method involves administering heartworm prevention to infected dogs to prevent the circulation of microfilariae and keeping infected dogs from serving as reservoirs of infection for other dogs. Thus, the slow-kill method acts as heartworm “birth control.” With this method, the adult heartworms present in the infected dog’s pulmonary artery live out their normal lifetime (1-3 years). During these 1-3 years, the adult heartworms cause continued inflammation and can lead to permanent changes in the dog’s heart and lungs. It is for this reason that melarsomine therapy is considered the “gold standard,” as it minimizes the amount of time that adult heartworms are present in the pulmonary artery and limits the amount of inflammation and damage that can be caused by the heartworms.
The phrase “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” could not be truer than when discussing canine heartworm disease. Heartworm disease is far easier, safer, and less expensive to prevent than to treat. Heartworm preventives work by eliminating any microfilariae deposited by mosquitoes before the microfilariae can mature into adult heartworms.
There are numerous different heartworm preventives available, with most preventives being oral tablets or chews, but some topical products are also available. Heartworm preventives are prescription products, and your veterinarian can recommend the best product for your dog. Heartworm prevention should be used year-round on the Gulf Coast, due to a heavy mosquito burden and persistence of warm, wet weather even in winter months.
Most veterinarians also recommend annual heartworm testing, even when your dog is consistently using prevention, to ensure the prevention is effective and to monitor for resistance among the heartworm population. Recent studies have also shown that using products that repel mosquitoes in dogs along with traditional heartworm preventives is more effective than using traditional preventives alone.
While dogs are the definitive host for Dirofilaria immitis, cats can also be infected with heartworms. Heartworm disease can be harder to diagnose in cats, as they typically are infected with fewer worms, making antigen tests less reliable, and feline heartworm disease can closely resemble feline asthma. However, feline heartworm disease is like canine heartworm disease in that it is easier to prevent than treat. Numerous heartworm preventives are available for cats, with most being topical products that combine heartworm with “ea and/or tick prevention.
For more information on canine and feline heartworm disease, please visit the American Heartworm Society. You can also listen to Dog-Harmony’s Pupcast episode co-hosted by founder, Nancy Bown, CPDT-KA, and Sydney Bassett on canine heartworm disease with a guest appearance from the South Walton Mosquito Control District.
Written by Christie Solomon | Photography by Christie Solomon and Courtesy of WCSO
Originally Published in Dog-Harmony Life Fall 2021 Issue
We were surrounded by three Sheriff’s Deputies with three highly trained K-9s, a Lieutenant, and a Public Information Officer from Walton County’s Sheriff’s Office. After the fear dissipated, we were able to get a sense of these amazing K-9 teams’ unique personalities and their roles through off-leash demonstrations. We had not expected the depth of the connection and bond between the dog and its handler.
Each of the three K-9 handlers in the Walton County Sheriff’s Office (WSCO) individually selected their canine partners as young dogs and have trained them from the beginning. The breeder is instrumental in the K-9 selection process to ensure the dogs have the appropriate temperaments to perform their duties.
Jester is a Belgian Malinois born in May 2016 in the Netherlands and is the most tenured of the WCSO K-9s. Jester began his career with the WCSO in September 2017 with senior handler Deputy Damon Byrd.
Byrd traveled to Oxford, Florida, and selected Jester as his K-9 partner from Police Service Dogs, WCSO’s vendor/breeder. Jester is a dual-purpose working dog certified in narcotics detection and patrol through both the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and United States Police Canine Association (USPCA).
Byrd and Jester gave the group an off-leash demonstration of Jester’s abilities. Jester, completely in-tune with Byrd, responded almost instantaneously to both hand signals and verbal cues in Dutch. Byrd rewarded Jester with high-quality kibble after each response. After Jester gave an impressive performance of his abilities, he rolled over for a smile from Byrd and a well-deserved belly rub.
“Jester has been on the road for the longest, then Colt, and then Jax. Jester is completely obsessed with Deputy Damon Byrd. He will listen to Damon and do whatever is requested of him because they’ve been together the longest. Colt is the second most tenured, followed by Jax, a nearly two-year-old Belgian Malinois. Jax is demonstrating a high drive and is still learning a lot in his first year with handler, Deputy Steven Tector.”
– Corey Dobridnia, Public Information Officer, WCSO
(We did notice that Jax was very skilled at pulling not one, but two, chew toys out of Deputy Tector’s pockets.)
Jax is a Belgian Malinois born in Hungary in December 2019 and a multi-purpose K-9 officer at the WCSO. He is certified in narcotics detection, criminal apprehension, tracking, and evidence/article recovery.
As the newest member of the K-9 Unit, Jax completed the FDLE’s 480-hour Basic Patrol K-9 Handler Course in May 2021 with Deputy Tector.
This highly trained, good-looking pup who’s on standby to work enjoys a game of fetch in his downtime. If you’re lucky enough, this large dog will catch you off-guard by a not-so-subtle body lean, which is his way of displaying affection.
Colt is a single-purpose Belgian Malinois/Shepherd mix born in the Netherlands and certified in narcotics detection through the USPCA.
Deputy John Avery selected Colt as his partner and welcomed him into his home and family, which includes two small children.
Explaining the selection process for Colt’s role at the WCSO, Avery said, “his only job is to find drugs. Knowing that, we not only wanted to select a dog great at scent detection, but also great with kids and people in general. We wanted a very social dog.”
Like Jax, Colt has a fondness for chew toys and knows exactly which of Avery’s pockets to pick.
Reward-based training is the main methodology utilized by the WCSO K-9 Unit. This training approach builds trust and a strong bond between the handler and the canine for effective police work. According to senior handler, Deputy Damon Byrd, “our dogs have never eaten out of a dog bowl. We reward them with food out of our hands every time they do something good.”
“When we teach evidence and article recovery, we use kibble on our tracks. In order to accelerate their food drive a little bit, we’ll microwave little hot dogs. That scent alone puts them into overdrive.” – Deputy Byrd
Byrd said that, “outside of apprehension work, we don’t activate electronic collars on our dogs. We make eye contact and mainly use verbal cues and hand signals.” When the K-9 Unit is in a SWAT situation, the handlers may not have a visual on the dogs or be able to call them. Electronic collars are used in these situations only with a subtle vibration to discreetly cue the dogs. Speaking proudly about his K-9 partner, Byrd said, “Jester has never failed to engage” a suspect.
According to Byrd, prong collars are used only as a last resort, a correctional tactic when the dogs are working. Dog-Harmony believes electronic and prong collars should not be used on your average companion animals, who are not working animals paired with highly skilled handlers.
After a hard day’s work, all three of the K-9s, Jester, Colt, and Jax, sleep at home with their handlers. Rumor has it that one of these clever canines even shares the bed with his handler at night. The off-duty time at home not only serves as a time for the pair to bond, but also allows the K-9 Unit to respond to calls more quickly. Interacting with these three dogs and their handlers, who all failed to hide smiles when looking at their K-9 partners, revealed the deep level of respect and affection each of these pairs has for each other.
On September 1, 2021, Lieutenant Scott Hogeboom took responsibility for the K-9 unit. (Coincidentally, Lt. Hogeboom is married to the Commander of Walton County’s Animal Services division, which Dog-Harmony supports with its Shelter Enrichment Program.) Hogeboom plans to add additional K-9s to the WCSO unit as funding is made available.
Santa Rosa County, which is located nearby in the northwest panhandle of Florida, covers a territory similar in size to Walton County (~1,200 mi2). These counties span the Gulf Coast to the southern border of Alabama. The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office currently has thirteen working dogs (versus the three at the WCSO).
A $40,000 donation to the WCSO K-9 Unit from the Sassy Sister Women’s Club of Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club in April 2021 will go towards additional training, equipment, and even dogs for the WCSO. Each new K-9 costs an average of $20,000. In addition, the K-9 teams require special equipment, as well as a vehicle equipped for K-9 transport, food, and medical care while in service. Bluewater Bay Animal Hospital, which cares for the dogs during their career, also continues to cover medical expenses for retired K-9s, all of whom have been formally adopted by their handlers. The initial cost for adding a K-9 to the agency’s team is $80,000 to $100,000.
Our area needs to support the growth and training of this highly skilled K-9 Unit. To donate or to learn more about how you can help the WCSO K-9 Unit, please contact Corey Dobridnia, Public Information Officer of the WCSO (at 850-951-4759 or cdobridnia@waltonso.org). If you’re not a resident of Walton County, consider contacting your local county’s Sheriff’s Office to see how you can get involved.
Dog-Harmony is a 501(c)(3) dedicated to reducing the shelter population through ongoing community education and programs that enrich the human and animal bond.
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In this important episode of the Dog-Harmony Pupcast, co-hosts Nancy Bown, CPDT-KA and Sydney Bassett of Mills Photo Design dive into everything you need to know about heartworms — just in time for Heartworm Awareness Month in April.
Plus, a special guest from South Walton Mosquito Control District joins Nancy and Sydney to share what we can do to reduce mosquito populations in our communities, starting with just a bottle cap of water.
Whether your pup spends most of its time indoors or outdoors, this episode is packed with essential info to keep them safe and heartworm-free all year long.
Click below to listen now and help us spread the word: Heartworm disease is 100% preventable.
You can also learn more in our article, Canine Heartworm Disease, written by Dr. Krystin Carr, DVM of Kindness Pet Hospital.
Miramar Beach, Fla. – Puppy parents, get ready for a tail-wagging good time! Dog-Harmony proudly presents the 10th Annual Doggie EGGstravaganza, a canine-only Easter egg hunt and social event on Friday, April 18, 2025, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Grand Boulevard at Sandestin.
For a $20 donation in advance (or $25 on the day of the event), humans and their leashed canine companions will receive a souvenir bag to sniff out 1,000 colorful eggs filled with delicious dog treats. With two designated hunting areas for dogs over and under 35 pounds, every furry friend has a chance to join in on the fun.
Attendees will also enjoy an evening of music curated by DJ Diamond Dan, indulge in delicious appetizers from JC’s Gourmet while sipping on beer and wine, pose for pet photos courtesy of Rescue Animal Photography, participate in family-friend games to win fun prizes, and shop human treats at the silent auction.
Proceeds from Doggie EGGstravaganza support Dog-Harmony, a 501(c)3, and its mission of keeping dogs out of shelters through humane education for children and families and programs that enrich the human and animal bond.
Doggie EGGstravaganza is presented as part of the Coastal Culture Series, made possible by the Grand Boulevard Arts & Entertainment Program. Dog-Harmony requests that no prong, shock, or choke collars be used on canine family members at the event.
To purchase tickets for the canine-only egg hunt in advance or learn more information about event sponsorship opportunities, visit Dog-Harmony’s website.
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About Dog-Harmony
Dog-Harmony is a 501(c)3 nonprofit in Miramar Beach dedicated to helping dogs rescue people. Founded by Nancy Bown, a Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA), in 2015, Dog-Harmony builds positive relationships between canines and humans, preventing dogs from becoming homeless in the first place. Community services include therapy dog programs and fun classes for children to learn responsible pet care, compassion, and bite prevention. Programs are made possible through grants and donations.
Written by Kay Graves
We rescued Tiger in 2015 at Our Pal’s Place in Marietta, GA. He was approximately one year old. I had two older dogs at the time. Had it not been for Charley’s loving care, I am not sure Tiger would have made it. It took about 2 years for Tiger to adjust (calm).
We trained with Dog-Harmony to become a therapy dog team. We now volunteer at HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital and Lotus Learning & Arts Center. We walk with the Dog-Harmony’s therapy dog teams at HCA and greet staff and patients.
At Lotus Learning Center, the children read to Tiger, or we explore music through handbells or keyboard. Before Christmas, we learned to play short pieces of Jingle Bells, Rockin’ Around Christmas Tree, and Deck the Halls on the bells. We look for patterns on the keyboard and find “D” for the Dog in the dog house made by the two black keys and “F” for the Frog on the low side of the three black keys.
We can improvise on the black keys, keep a steady beat, and listen and play short rhythms in unison. We can play short segments of JAWS, Star Wars, and Harry Potter themes. Tiger sits in a chair and listens when we do keyboard. The students greet Tiger when they come in. We play fetch, and each child gives him a treat.
Written by Hannah Garbett
Puppies are a blast! They have infinite energy for fun and can be an adorable source of endless affection and entertainment. They can also be a lot of work! With fun and games come chewed shoes and late-night potty trips outside.
Let us help you start on the right foot with your new best friend! We’ve compiled some of the best advice from trainers and puppy experts around the country on everything you need to know to be a super puppy parent. From potty training and puppy biting to enrichment and setting expectations, you’ll find the answers to help you survive the amazing and exhausting adventure of raising a canine companion.
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