Heartworm disease is a serious condition in dogs including Papillons. It is extremely important for dogs to be tested for heartworms on a routine basis. Heartworms can be fatal if not treated properly. The disease itself is caused by a foot-long worm or heartworm that can invade the heart, lungs and blood vessels of your Papillon. This can cause lung disease and heart failure among other things. Prevention is the best possible form of treatment. Your dog should be on a monthly heartworm prevention plan. Once the parasites invade your dog, they can leave a lasting impact even if they are treated and killed off. Heartworms can damage the heart, lungs and arteries. Your vet can run a simple blood test to determine if your Papillon has heartworms. Treatment must be provided immediately and aggressively by your vet care Bee Cave, TX if your dog tests positive for heartworms.