Heartworm Prevention

🦟 How Is Heartworm Spread?

  1. A mosquito bites an infected animal and picks up microscopic baby worms (microfilariae).
  2. The mosquito bites your pet and transmits the larvae.
  3. The larvae mature inside your pet over several months and migrate to the heart and lungs.

This entire process can happen silently—with no signs for 6 months or more.

🐶 Who Is at Risk?

  • Dogs are the most common victims. They are natural hosts for heartworms.
  • Cats are also at risk, though they tend to have fewer worms and more sudden reactions.
  • Even indoor pets are vulnerable if a mosquito gets inside your home.

🌎 Heartworm is especially common in warm, humid climates—but cases have been reported in all 50 U.S. states and many other countries.

⚠️ Symptoms of Heartworm Disease

In Dogs:

  • Persistent cough
  • Fatigue after mild activity
  • Weight loss
  • Loss of appetite
  • Swollen belly (due to fluid buildup)
  • In advanced stages: heart failure or sudden collapse

In Cats:

  • Coughing or wheezing
  • Vomiting (not related to eating)
  • Sudden collapse or even death (in severe cases)

✅ How to Prevent Heartworms

1. Monthly Preventative Medications

These come in chewables, topical liquids, or injections:

  • Ivermectin
  • Milbemycin oxime
  • Selamectin
  • Moxidectin
    These kill the larvae before they mature into adult worms.

2. Annual Testing

  • Even if your pet is on preventatives, annual testing ensures early detection.
  • Starting a preventative without testing can be dangerous if adult worms are already present.

3. Year-Round Protection

  • Mosquitoes can survive in warm homes even during winter.
  • Consistency is key—missing one dose can open a window for infection.

🧪 What Happens If My Pet Tests Positive?

Don’t panic—heartworm is treatable, especially in early stages:

  • Dogs may receive a series of injections (melarsomine) and be placed on strict rest.
  • For cats, there is no approved drug to kill adult heartworms—supportive care and prevention are critical.

❌ Common Myths About Heartworm

  • “My pet is indoors, so they don’t need it.”
    → False. Indoor pets are still bitten by mosquitoes.
  • “I only need to give meds in summer.”
    → False. Prevention should be year-round.
  • “Heartworm only affects dogs.”
    → False. Cats can also suffer—and sometimes worse.

🐾 Final Thoughts

Heartworm disease is deadly, but 100% preventable. A simple monthly medication and annual vet visit can give your pet the protection they deserve.

🐶 Talk to your vet today about starting heartworm prevention. It’s small effort for a lifetime of safety.

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