Puppies & Heartworm
Q: My dog was diagnosed with heartworms while she was pregnant and delivered a month later. Can puppies get heartworms from their mother?
A: That is a great question. Fortunately, the answer is no, the puppies cannot get heartworm from their mother. The ONLY way for the puppies, or for any dog, to get heartworm is to be bitten by a mosquito that is carrying heartworm.
The puppies can, however, get intestinal parasites from the mother if she has any. Be sure to have your veterinarian check stool samples so that they can treat any parasites that may be present. The mother will have to be treated for her heartworm disease but your veterinarian will most likely do so once the puppies have been weaned.
It is very important to use a monthly heartworm preventative in all dogs that live in warm environments or anywhere that mosquitoes exist. Where there are mosquitoes, there is heartworm disease! Even indoor only dogs are at risk since mosquitoes can enter the home. Heartworm prevention is only available as a prescription from your veterinarian who will likely perform a heartworm test before starting the medication.
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Comments (4)
Kristin April 21, 2009 9:34 PM
Iam was so happy to read this being we have a puppy and she is 9 weeks, out friend's dog was the mom and he just found out that she has heartworm!!!! Pretty scary stuff!
Isabella benavidez April 28, 2009 10:33 PM
do dogs get asthma.
Diana June 25, 2009 12:29 PM
I thought that dogs who got the treatment for heart worms and took the pills that it would not show up again but it did. The vet teck said the heart worms stay for 8 yrs.
Anonymous October 5, 2009 7:37 PM
If my dog was de-wormed while she was pregnant would the puppies be de-wormed also.
Scarlet66 March 2, 2010 11:11 AM
FlagMother dogs that have heartworms while pregnant, do not give heartworms to the puppies. The mother dog can not be treated for heartworms until after the puppies have been weened. It takes at least 12 weeks for the worms to form, so just get the puppies on heartworm pervenative as soon as possible. Use the liquid wormer for the puppies, and the vet will treat the mother dog.
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