Heartworm Disease

Heartworm disease is a mosquito spread parasite or worm that lives in the heart and major blood vessels of the dog. There it interferes with normal blood flow causing symptoms similar to congestive heart failure. Dogs with exposure to mosquitoes are at risk. In our area that includes all dogs, even indoor dogs. Once bitten by an infected mosquito, the heartworm larva makes a lengthy migration and maturation from the skin to eventually wind up in the heart as an adult. From there it reproduces releasing many hundreds of young (microfilaria) into the blood stream of its host, which are then taken in by another mosquito and so spread to other dogs. Symptoms can range from very mild, to coughing, to severe debilitation potentially leading to death. The severity of the disease is dependant for the most part on the number of worms (wormload) related to the size of the dog’s heart.

Although dogs are the primary host of heartworms, cats are also effected, even indoor cats. In cats the disease can be much more severe with very few heartworms involved. Their symptoms can range from very mild signs, to breathing difficulties, to sudden death.

Heartworm disease can be successfully treated in the dog but is much riskier to treat in the cat. In both dogs and cats it is far more easy and safer to prevent the disease in the first place. A once monthly prescription heartworm preventative is given to both dogs and cats. We recommend this be given to your pets year round.

Many of the monthly heartworm preventative medications also provide varying protection against intestinal parasite (worms) infestations as well. The take home point here is to make sure your dog and/or cat is receiving a monthly heartworm preventative. These medications are not available over the counter. Contact us today to get your pet started on a heartworm preventative program.