Say Hello to Heartworms!

My first reminder is a simple one for the beginning of spring.  As the temperature increases, so does the number of mosquitoes.  It only takes one mosquito bite for your dog to contract heartworms.  The sole means of prevention is to administer a monthly heartworm preventative which you can obtain from your veterinarian.  There are many oral medication options as well as topical applications.  We also have all-in-one flea, heartworm, and intestinal parasite preventatives.

At your pet’s yearly wellness visit, heartworm disease is detected by a blood test.  It takes 2 minutes to run and provides peace of mind.  Most dogs that test positive for heartworms show no physical signs of disease.  Signs of advanced disease may be coughing, shortness of breath, weight loss, fever, fluid accumulation inside the abdomen (ascites), and death.  A heartworm infection can cause permanent damage to both the heart and lungs.

Treatment for heartworms is quite costly, ranging from $275-$1000+, depending on the severity of disease and the size of dog.  Prevention is the key in protecting your dog from this disease.  Even if your dog does not spend significant time outdoors, they are still at risk.  Mosquitoes are masters at finding a way into your house.  Did you know cats can get heartworms from mosquitoes too?  It can be difficult to diagnose in cats and more troublesome to treat than it is in dogs.  I highly recommend preventative for cats as well.  If you want to learn more, search for heartworms on petmd.com.

March is the perfect month to have your dog tested and start preventative if you haven’t already.  Your veterinarian can help you choose the right preventative for you and your pets. I hope everyone has a heartworm free spring!