Preventing Heartworm Disease

In most parts of the country, spring weather brings barbecues, evenings spent outdoors and something less desirable: an increase in your Pet’s risk of contracting heartworm disease. Caused by a parasite that matures into long worms that live in the heart and major vessels surrounding the heart, heartworm disease can affect both dogs and cats. Although it can occur in all parts of the country, according to Banfield’s research team, heartworm is most prevalent for dogs in Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas and Alabama. In cats, heartworm is not as common, but according to the research team, the consequences can be very serious if the parasite is contracted by a cat. This is because in cats, the disease is much more difficult to treat.

Heartworm is easily transmittable—in fact, heartworm can be passed through the bite of just one mosquito. Implementing a year-round monthly heartworm preventive is crucial for minimizing your Pet’s risk of contracting heartworm disease.

Heartworm disease may not cause your Pet to exhibit symptoms in the early stages, but if left undetected and untreated, it can cause sudden death. In most cases, a Pet will show no initial signs of having the disease.

If left untreated, dogs may develop a persistent cough, reluctance to exercise, fatigue after light exercise, and a decrease in appetite and weight. If your dog is diagnosed with heartworm disease, your Banfield veterinarian will perform lab tests, such as a complete blood count and a urinalysis. He or she will then begin treatment, which typically includes medications to end the lifecycle of the heartworms. During the treatment process, which can vary in length but usually lasts for a few months, your veterinarian will continue to perform routine blood work to monitor the progress of the treatment and will instruct you to limit your dog’s activity. After treatment, heartworm preventives will generally be recommended to prevent reinfection.

Cats’ symptoms of heartworm disease can include vomiting, rapid breathing and weight loss. The treatment of adult heartworms in cats is usually not recommended, so prevention of the disease is particularly crucial for cats.

Banfield urges Pet owners to keep Pets on a monthly heartworm preventive year-round, as well as to take their Pets in to Banfield for a yearly heartworm test.