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14 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- July 24, 1984 DE --------------------------------=--=---- I. GUARANTEED SERVICE ED GM PARTS 51599 1 CLEAN car or light-duty truck ® OIL CHANGE It's time for a Change! We'll change your motor oil, upto four quarts, replace oil filter, examine shock absorbers. Check lube intransmission and differential, add asneeded. Lubricate front suspension components, door and hood hinges. Service PCV valve SAFETY 5 -- price includes installation Good shocks are important to the life of your car. If you get a jolt out of every small bump in the road, have your shock absorbers replaced during this special. For a smoother, more comfortable ride and for the hfe of your car, call for an appointment now, during this hmited offer SALES TAX EXTRA ON PARTS & MATERIALS REQUIRED 1. Inspect and Clean Candensor: 2. Check and Clean Evaporator Drain Tube: 3. Adjust Compressor Belt Tension: 4. Check for Oil Leaks; 5. Leak Test, Check for Proper Refrigerant Charge; 6. Recharge Air-conditioning System if Necessary. OFFER EXPIRES AUGUST 1, 1984 INCLUDES PARTS & LABOUR All G.M. Cars & Light Duty Trucks. We use only original General Motors parts for all G.M. Cars. WE SERVICE ALL MAKES & MODELS OF GENERAL MOTORS CARS & TRUCKS. See Us For All Your Motoring Needs! SERVICE DEPARTMENT OPEN: Weekdays - 8 AM.to5P.M. Cash, Cheque, Visa or Mastercard accepted. » Deadly heartworm heads north to Scugog dogs via mosquito Each year thousands of dogs fall prey fo the potentially lethal heartworm disease, a major problem in the United States that is working its way towards Canada. Veterinarians in this area have already reported working on four or five cases, and are recommending regular check-ups fo slow the highly contagious canine disease. See story for details. HOME INSURANCE DJ TAYLO INSURANCE BROKERS LTD. 170 Water Street North, Port Perry - 985-8416 Also see us about your Life, Auto, Farm, Commercial & Mortgage Insurance Needs! H&M WRIGHT FEED COMPANY * LAWN & GARDEN SUPPLIES * FERTILIZER & FENCING HAROLD or MELANIE The next time you take Fido for a rabies shot, ask your vet about heartworm, a deadly highly contagious dis- "ease spreading north into Canada from the southern United States at an alarming rate. Already a few cases have been reported in Durham Region, includ- ing one here in Scugog Township. Each year thousands of dogs become perman- ently debilitated or die from lung, heart, or circulatory problems caused by heartworms. For most of North America, the danger of infection is greatest dur- ing the summer because temperatures then are favourable to mosqui- toes (over 70 species) which harbour and tran- smit heartworms. CONSTANT THREAT In southern' areas of the United States where mosquitoes are present all year, the threat of heartworm disease is constant. But until recently heartworm hasn't been a serious problem in the Port Perry area. Veter inarian Keith Elliott says he treated one case five years ago, but that was about it until recently. Now he figures there are four or five dogs diagnosed with heartworm in the Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax area. And he has treated one case personally, a dog that had spent some time in Windsor-where reports of heartworm are becoming almost common. "It's not a real serious problem here yet but it's going to get that way', Dr. Elliott said. The disease gets its start when a mosquito nabs blood from an infected dog. Circulat- ing in the blood are tiny * DOG & CAT FOOD * FEEDS & GRAIN * ANIMAL HEALTH PRODUCTS 800am. 5:30pm. SATURDAY BLACKSTOCK - 986-4201 immature worms called microfilariae. THREE CHANGES Inside the mosquito, microfilariae undergo a series of three changes or molts, and within three weeks the im- mature worms are transformed into infect- ive larvae. The next time the mosquito has dinner, courtesy of another dog, the infective larvae slip into the dog's body where they continue to molt. About 200 days later, the larvae become adult worms, hanging out in the dogs right heart chambers and major pulmonary blood vessels. Meanwhile, the adult worms are producing thousands of tiny micro- filariae which are carried freely through- out the dog's circulatory system. If a wandering mosquito happens to bite this dog, the micro- filariae will be trans- ferred to the mosquito, that will bite another dog, infect that dog and 80 on, and so on... Together, the para- sites inside the infected dog's body, both the adult worms and the microfilariae, increase the heart's workload and restrict blood flow to the lungs, kidneys and liver. Continued untreated infection pro- duces an increased strain on these vital organs, which event- ually may result in the death of the dog. THREAD-LIKE Heartworms do most of their damage in the adult stage. The worms are a thread-like two or three inches long-- although there have been reports of female worms reaching incred- ible lengths of 10 to 14 inches. Males are about half that size. Although the number of microfilariae releas- ed from each female fluctuates widely, as many as 5,000 of the microfilariae may be deposited in one day by one worm. Adults live for about five years and microfilariae for about three years. Visible signs of heart- worm disease may not appear until a full year after infection. In fact, the disease may be well advanced before the dog shows any signs. And because the signs vary, the disease may be mistaken for another problem. Typically, however, dogs cough frequently but do not have a respiratory infection. They tire quickly, show laboured breathing, and appear unusually weak. Often, affected dogs eat more, but lose weight. Accurate diagnosis of canine heartworm dis- ease is accomplished in various ways. The technique used most often calls for drawing a from thé dog and exam- ing it under a micro- scope for the presence of microfilariae. While the tests are reliable, about 10 per cent of the infections may go undetected be- cause some dogs with adult heartworms in their hearts do not have microfilariae in their bloodstream. If heartworms are suspected in spite of negative test results, X-rays may be taken to obtain an accurate diagnosis. When the is confirmed, a. treatment program is set up to remove both adult worms and mcro- filariae. Which isn't as easy as it sounds. FIRST STEP The first step is to get rid of the adult worms. While the injected drug ills worms, it's also strong enough to ser- iously hurt or kill the dog. Owners are advis- ed to rest their animals for several weeks to allow the dog time to absorb the dead worms. If a dog exerts himself too soon after treat- ment, his lungs could become severely con- gested, a condition that could result in death. "The biggest danger is causing emboli in the lungs," Dr. Elliott said. Once the adult worm are gone, the microfil- ariae have to be remov- ed, with yet another drug. Only after both adult and immature worms have been killed may the infected dog be put on a program to prevent reinfection. Re- testing the dog in six months is advised. Even is there's no reason to suspect your dog has heartworm disease, Dr. Elliott suggests a check-up at least once a year-just to be sure. There is a way of making sure your dog doesn't contact the disease but it's not as easy or cheap as the once-a-year rabies shot most pet owners take for granted. It's a pre- ventative treatment that must be adminis- tered once a day (usually in the dog's food) to be effective. Although it's neither inexpensive or conven- ient, dog owners in the southern states take it as a matter of cours If they have a dog they protect it from heart- worm--the same way we protect our animals from rabies. And judging by the way heartworm is spreading in our direc- tion, dog owners here may have to take the same course of action. Although other animals and humans are susceptible to the disease, dogs seem to be the most common victims. For more information about heartworm, contact your local veterinarian. a aa