Heartworm (also known as filaria) is yet another terrible disease caused by the mosquito which can be a killer if not diagnosed and treated. Rescued galgos and podencos are tested for filaria, along with the other Mediterranean diseases like leishmania, ehrlichia.
During my 10 years of working on the rescue team of L'Europe des Levriers bringing galgos and podencos from Spain to France for foster and rehoming, we only actually brought out 2 galgos who were suffering from the disease. This is because the stress of the journey and changing situation could make the situation worse.
Heartworm is actually a parasitic roundworm which lives in the lungs and heart of the host animal. Once diagnosed and treatment starts, the animal must be kept as quiet as possible with little exercise so as not to trigger movement of the worm.
Read about heartworm, its diagnosis and treatment, on this weblink.
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