🐾 Heartworm Prevention: A Lifesaving Habit for Your Pet
Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially deadly condition caused by parasitic worms that live in the heart, lungs, and blood vessels of affected pets. It primarily affects dogs and cats, and the only true defense is consistent prevention.
In this blog, we’ll break down how heartworms spread, signs of infection, and how to keep your pet safe year-round.
💡 What Is Heartworm Disease?
Heartworm disease is caused by a parasitic worm known as Dirofilaria immitis. It is transmitted to pets through the bite of an infected mosquito.
When a mosquito carrying heartworm larvae bites your pet:
- The larvae enter the bloodstream
- Over the course of about six months, they develop into adult worms
- These worms settle in the heart and pulmonary arteries, causing severe damage
Left untreated, heartworm disease can lead to heart failure, lung disease, and death.
🦟 How Do Pets Get Infected?
- An infected mosquito bites an animal with heartworms
- It picks up microscopic baby worms (microfilariae)
- When that mosquito bites another animal, it transmits the larvae
- The larvae mature inside the new host
Even indoor pets are at risk—mosquitoes can easily find their way inside your home.
🐶 Common Symptoms
In Dogs:
- Persistent cough
- Lethargy or unwillingness to exercise
- Weight loss
- Difficulty breathing
- Swollen abdomen (due to fluid)
- In advanced cases: collapse or sudden death
In Cats:
- Coughing or wheezing
- Vomiting (not related to eating)
- Lack of appetite
- Sudden collapse or even death (even with a low worm count)
Cats are not ideal hosts, which makes diagnosis harder and treatment more complicated.
✅ How to Prevent Heartworm Disease
Prevention is safe, effective, and significantly cheaper than treatment.
1. Monthly Preventatives
- Available as chewables, topicals, or injections
- Kill larvae before they mature into adult worms
- Popular medications: Heartgard, Revolution, Advantage Multi, Simparica Trio, etc.
2. Annual Heartworm Testing
- Even with regular medication, annual tests ensure your pet is protected
- Starting preventatives without testing could be dangerous if worms are already present
3. Year-Round Protection
- Mosquitoes can survive indoors and in warm climates year-round
- Skipping even one dose can leave your pet unprotected
❌ Common Myths Debunked
| Myth | Truth |
|---|---|
| “My pet stays indoors—it’s safe.” | Mosquitoes can and do enter homes. Indoor pets are still at risk. |
| “I only need prevention in summer.” | Mosquitoes can live year-round in many areas—use preventatives year-round. |
| “Cats don’t get heartworms.” | They do, and it’s often more dangerous due to lack of approved treatment. |
| “My dog looks fine.” | Symptoms can take months to appear—by then, major damage may have occurred. |
💊 What If My Pet Tests Positive?
If your dog tests positive:
- Your vet will recommend a treatment plan, which may include antibiotics, steroids, and injections to kill adult worms
- Strict activity restriction is critical during treatment
For cats:
- No approved drug exists to kill adult heartworms
- Supportive care focuses on managing symptoms and preventing secondary infections
🐾 Final Thoughts
Heartworm disease is preventable, but not always treatable. A few minutes each month can save your pet’s life.
✅ Talk to your veterinarian today about starting a heartworm prevention plan—because love means keeping them safe, inside and out.
