Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal condition that affects dogs, cats, and other animals. While it’s a year-round threat in many areas, heartworm prevention is easier and more effective than treating the disease. As a responsible pet owner, understanding how heartworm disease spreads, its symptoms, and how to prevent it can help keep your furry family members safe and healthy.

What Is Heartworm Disease?

Heartworm disease is caused by a parasitic worm called Dirofilaria immitis. It is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Once inside a pet, the worms mature, reproduce, and settle in the heart, lungs, and blood vessels. The presence of these worms can cause severe lung disease, heart failure, and other organ damage.

How Does Heartworm Disease Spread?

The lifecycle of a heartworm begins when a mosquito bites an infected animal and picks up microscopic baby worms, known as microfilariae. When that mosquito bites another pet, it can transmit the larvae, which mature over time. Dogs are natural hosts, meaning the worms thrive, grow, and reproduce within their systems. Cats, while less commonly infected, can suffer from serious respiratory issues from even a few worms.

Symptoms of Heartworm Disease

Detecting heartworm disease early is challenging because symptoms may not appear until the disease has progressed. In dogs, common signs include:

  • Persistent coughing
  • Fatigue after mild activity
  • Weight loss
  • Difficulty breathing

Cats may show symptoms such as:

  • Coughing or asthma-like attacks
  • Vomiting
  • Loss of appetite
  • Sudden collapse

Regular veterinary check-ups and diagnostic tests are essential for early detection and treatment.

Prevention Is Key

Preventing heartworm disease is far safer and more cost-effective than treating it. Monthly preventatives, including chewable tablets, topical solutions, and injectable options, are highly effective in killing the larvae before they mature. Your veterinarian will help you determine the best option for your pet’s specific needs.

Why Year-Round Prevention Matters

Mosquitoes can thrive in unexpected places, even during colder months. Gaps in prevention can leave your pet vulnerable to infection. Year-round heartworm prevention, along with annual testing, ensures your pet remains protected.

Schedule Your Pet’s Heartworm Screening

At Caring Hands Animal Hospital, we prioritize your pet’s health with comprehensive heartworm prevention and testing. If it’s been a while since your pet’s last check-up, now is a great time to schedule a visit. Protecting your pet from heartworm disease is one of the simplest and most effective ways to ensure a long, healthy life.

Give us a call today to book your pet’s heartworm screening or to discuss the best preventative care options available. Your furry friend deserves the best protection possible!