April is Heartworm Prevention Month

What is Heartworm Disease?

• Heartworm disease is a potentially deadly infection in pets that is caused by worms that can grow to be 14 inches in length.

• Heartworm disease coincides with mosquito season.

• This disease is spread by mosquitoes that have become infected while taking a blood meal from an infected animal. When the mosquito bites another dog, cat or susceptible animal, it then passes the larvae into the animal’s blood stream through the bite wound, resulting in a heartworm infection.

• It takes approximately 7 months for the larvae to mature into adult worms that can live for five to seven years in your dog or cat.

• These worms live on the right side of the heart and arteries of the lungs. Dogs and cats of any age and breed are susceptible to infection.

• Heartworm infection can cause potentially serious damage to these arteries, eventually leading to heart failure or damage to the liver and kidneys. In extreme cases, dogs can be infected with several hundred heartworms.

Signs to Watch for:

• Signs of heartworm in cats and dogs can include coughing and your pet becoming increasingly winded by exercise. Lack of oxygen will cause a decrease of blood supply to the brain, becoming fatal. Initially, your pet may also have a decreased appetite and weight loss.

Are indoor pets at risk?

• It is important to realize that even indoor pets may still be at risk as mosquitoes often find their way indoors through doors or windows or by landing on humans entering the home.

What can I do?

• The good news is that heartworm disease is completely preventable. It is recommended that pet owners talk to their veterinarian now to take steps to protect their pets from this dangerous disease. Heartworm prevention is safe, easy and inexpensive compared to the cost to treat an animal that has been infected.

• All dogs should be tested annually for heartworm infection.

So, contact your Veterinarian today to ensure your pet stays healthy and free from Heartworm disease.