Zack's Heartworm Surgery: A Look at the Reality of Heartworm Disease

Most people have heard of heartworm disease, but not everyone realizes what heartworms actually are. Heartworms are long, spaghetti-like parasitic worms that can grow up to a foot long and live in a dog's heart, lungs, and the blood vessels connecting them. As they grow and multiply, they can interfere with blood flow, damage the heart and lungs, and ultimately cause heart failure and death.

Zack experienced just how dangerous this disease can be.

His infection was so severe that he required emergency intervention at Texas A&M. During surgery, veterinarians physically removed more than 20 heartworms directly from his heart. The short video clip below shows a portion of that procedure, as multiple long, white worms are removed. It's a sobering look at what this disease can do and what it can take to save a life.

Zack survived, but his journey required specialized care, multiple stages of treatment, and continued monitoring.

This is why heartworm prevention matters.

Heartworm disease is preventable, but once a dog is infected, treatment can be lengthy, expensive, and sometimes dangerous. Year-round heartworm prevention and regular testing are essential to protecting our dogs.

Zack was fortunate to get the care he needed. So were the other heartworm-positive pugs who have come through Pug Rescue of Austin. But there will be more who need help.

Your support through Pug-A-Thon helps make these second chances possible. Every donation helps us say YES to another pug who needs us.

Watch Zack's heartworm surgery here. (Viewer discretion advised.)