HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1996-05-22, Page 15Second Section - May 22,1996
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•The Quest
Jun Claude VanDamm•
•Fear
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Risk of heartworm growing in Ontario
Last year 42 cases of heartworm were,,eported in Ontario in 80 communities
By Heather Mir
T -A Reporter
EXETER - Since a Kirkton area
dog recently tested positive for
heartworm, local veterinarians are
stressing the importance of check-
ing dogs annually for the disease.
The dog, which is being treated at
the Exeter Animal
Hospital, is believed to
have come into contact
with the disease locally
since it did not travel
out of the area.
According to a re-
cent Guelph University
study, 42 positive
heartworm cases were
reported in Ontario last
year. In 1995 the disease struck 80
towns compared with 70 three
years ago and this trend is growing.
The majority of heartworm cases in
Canada were reported in Ontario.
Canine heartworm disease is a se-
rious threat to dogs and is spread
solely by mosquitoes. It frequently
has no symptoms until the disease
has progressed significantly. In the
later stages, the disease causes fa-
tigue, coughing and may damage
the heart and lungs. Untreated, the
dog can die of heart failure.
"It frequently will kill the
dog...unless the worm burden is
light," said Dr. Ellen Shapiro of the
Exeter Animal Hos-
pital. "It's such a
devastating disease."
Heartworm is a'
large parasitic worm
that thrives in a
dog's heart. It feeds
on the nutrients in
the blood stream and
can grow up to 30
centimetres in
length. In severe cases, as many as
500 worms can infect a dog.
"Worms pack the heart and when
there's no more room they migrate
to the blood vessels in. the lungs,
then to the liver," explained Dr.
Walt Ingwerson of the Ontario
"It frequently
will kill the
dog...unless
the worm
burden is
light."
Medical Association in a recent
press release. "The heart is put un-
der stress by blood having to wind
its way around the worms and by
thickening the vessels, which di-
minishes blood flow."
When a mosquito bites a dog is
infected with heartworm it takes
up immature worms as well as
blood. Over 10 to 14 days, these
worms grow into larvae and are
transmitted to other dogs when bit-
ten. It is possible, therefore, for a
single infected dog to present a
hazard to all dogs in the community
during mosquito season. Trans-
mission becomes more frequent as
the summer progresses.
Each year, University of Guelph
Ontario Veterinary College reports
owners can easily prevent heart-
worm disease by taking the dog for
an annual blood test and giving pre-
ventative medication during mos-
quito season.
Prevention programs should start
by the beginning of June and con -
Owe until November but Shapiro
it's not too late to begin in
ber. Ideally, dogs should
have a blood test each year and
4tart a prevention program such as
Interceptor, which also provides
protection against hookworm,
roundworm and whipworm.
Prevention may cost between $45
and $50 while treatment for bean -
worm including an x-ray. b*aod-
wark, medication and two or 'thione
day hospital stay can cost tiom
$400 to $600.
; "Screening makes econotaic
feriae," said Shapiro.
The disease can leave residual
Scarring on the heart and lungs af-
ter treatment that includes a series
f injections. During the treat -
exercise must be restricted
1614lx to eight week to avoid se-
rious lung damage.
4 In the case of heartworm, the
is much worse than the pre -
cation, which can be given as a
of chewable tablets.
„. ,
vanced case of hea
worm disease may d
velop one or more
the following signs.'
ach`
re ?Ong
tire easily during ex.
rcise
• collapse due to
heart failure
• general listlessness
Treatment for heart-
worm
eartworm is potentially
dangerous for the dog
nd can be very cost
. Prevention Is bey,
far a better optlo
Dr. filen Shapiro of the Exeter An/ilnal Hospital drews
blood from a timid Peggy while Registered Veterinary
Technician Wilma Lagerwerf holds her. The blood
sample will be tested for heartworm disease before
starting a prevention program beginning June 1.
Above Peggy, a year-old Beagle, Is comforted by owner
Darlene Edwards.
Where Are They Now? is an extended series on South Huron
strict High School graduates and their career choices
Jody I&irp,pgI: raprmi,,g. ftgs
ZURICH -'The trend has been towards getting bigger and I've kind of bucked that trend
and become more specialized instead," said Jody Durand of his hog farming operation.
Durand began mixed fanning near Zurich in 1987 before he started in the hog business and
later expanded from 75 to 90 sows.
He believes in the importance of being specialized, up-to-date and competitive in the hog
industry. One of the challenges of the business, he explained, is the fact...marketing boards are
pressured to allow a free market, which may make profitability more difficult for smaller
operator.
"I'm a big part (of) the resistance to that pressure," he said, adding the Ontario Pork
Producer's Marketing Board has created a market where regardless of size, farmers are able to
produce comparable amounts.
"There is money in this business if you're smart and you do a good job," he said. "I have the
ability to control my own destiny as far as profitability goes."
He also likes the fact farming allows him to be his own boss and provides opportunities to
spend time with his wife, Cheryl and four children, Elise, Ginelle, A.J. and Rachelle.
Being very active in the political side of the industry, Durand is secretary -treasurer for the
Huron County Pork Producer's Association as well as a treasurer for the Huron County
Pork Club. He also expresses his views ase columnist for Hog Farmer
magazine, a job that began through writing letters to the
editor of Ontario Farmer three years ago.
"1 don't like complaining
solution," be said. "You have to be hard- working of
course and dedicated to your goal or your vision,"
while maintaining an "ability to adapt to change."
Asa teen he wanted to help farm with his father,
who advised him to go to college first. A 1983
graduate of South Huron District High School, he
remembers being one of a few boys in a french class
and recalls a homecoming 1982 sign consisting of
people standing in a football field.
After taking an agriculture business management
course at Centralia College of Agricultural
Technology, Durand was hired at Hensall Co-op as a
crop specialist for two years, then began to work part-
time for a local cash crop farms
Durand's future expansion plans Include keeping
his options open and providing the opportunity to
take up other interests.
"My wife and I are really involved in community
activities," he said, adding he is this year's Zurich's
Bean Fest president.
Baseball, hockey and church readings make up his
with no pastimes.
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