Spring is here, and that means warmer weather and more time outdoors with your pet. The warmer weather also brings with it some not so pleasant things, like mosquitos and the risk of heartworms. Protect your pet by learning more about heartworm disease and how you can prevent it.
How does my pet get heartworms?
Heartworm infections in pets are transmitted by more than 70 different mosquito species throughout the United States. Mosquitoes serve as temporary hosts for young heartworms. In about 2 weeks, once the young heartworms mature, they can enter your pet when the mosquito bites. Once inside your pet, the worms travel through your pet’s vascular system for several months, maturing into adult heartworms that can grow to be 12 inches long. Adult heartworms can survive inside an infected dog’s body for up to seven years, and inside infected felines for several years. Outdoor pets have an increased chance of infection, but mosquitoes can easily travel indoors, and only one bite from a heartworm-carrying mosquito can infect your pet.
What are the signs of heartworm disease?
In the early stages, there may not be symptoms of infection. Cats rarely show clinical signs. Although infected cats may exhibit a cough, respiratory trouble, and vomiting, sudden death is not uncommon. Severity of signs depends on the overall health of your pet, as well as how active they are, and the severity of the infection. Signs of heartworm disease in dogs may include weight loss, coughing, difficulty breathing, and loss of stamina. Because many of these symptoms are overlooked, annual testing during veterinary visits is important.
How is heartworm disease prevented?
Heartworm disease prevention is done with medication prescribed by your pet’s veterinarian. The veterinarian and you can discuss the best option for your pets such as a chewable monthly pill, injections administered every 6 to 12 months, or topical medication. Contact your veterinary clinic to schedule a time to discuss heartworm disease prevention.
