National Heartworm Awareness Month

April is National Heartworm Awareness Month

This month, we want to bring awareness to a serious condition that can affect both dogs and cats: heartworm disease. With April being National Heartworm Awareness Month, it’s the perfect time to discuss what heartworm disease is, how it’s transmitted, why prevention is so important.

National Heartworm Awareness Month: Protect Your Pet’s Heart

What is Heartworm Disease?

Heartworm disease is a potentially fatal condition caused by foot-long parasitic worms that live in the heart and blood vessels of infected animals. These worms can lead to severe lung issues, heart failure, and organ damage, and without treatment, can be life-threatening. The transmission of heartworms is linked to mosquitoes, which carry microscopic baby worms (microfilaria) from infected wild mammals like foxes and coyotes into pets.

Once a mosquito bites a pet, the larvae develop into adult worms that can live for 5-7 years in dogs and 2-3 years in cats. The American Heartworm Society recommends annual testing and year-round prevention to protect pets from this disease.

Why Prevention Matters

The good news is that heartworm disease is preventable. Heartworm preventives, prescribed by our veterinarians, are highly effective at killing the larvae before they mature into adult worms. These preventives come in various forms, including oral medications, topical treatments, and injectable options. Regular administration, as prescribed, ensures your pet stays protected from heartworms and other harmful parasites.

It’s important to start prevention early in your pet’s life. Puppies and kittens should begin heartworm prevention as soon as possible, with dosages adjusted as they grow. Even pets in colder climates need year-round protection, as mosquitoes can survive and adapt to cold environments, making heartworm transmission a risk everywhere.

The American Heartworm Society’s "Think 12" Strategy

To make heartworm prevention easy to remember, the American Heartworm Society recommends “Think 12”:

• Keep your pet on heartworm prevention 12 months a year.

• Get your pet tested every 12 months for heartworm.

This simple routine can ensure that your pet stays safe from heartworms, regardless of the environment or time of year. The recommended testing involves taking a small blood sample. Powell Veterinary Clinic offers in-house testing with quick results.

Heartworm Disease in Dogs

Dogs are the natural hosts for heartworms, where the worms mature, mate, and reproduce. Left untreated, heartworm disease in dogs can cause permanent damage to the heart, lungs, and arteries, eventually leading to heart failure. Early on, heartworm disease may not show symptoms, but as it progresses, dogs may experience:

• Persistent coughing

• Reluctance to exercise

• Fatigue

• Decreased appetite

• Weight loss

In severe cases, heartworms can cause a life-threatening blockage in the heart, requiring immediate surgery to save your pet’s life.

Even if your dog is on heartworm prevention, annual testing is crucial, as missed doses or incorrect administration can leave them vulnerable. By testing your dog regularly, you can ensure that they remain heartworm-free, or catch the infection early for treatment.

Heartworm Disease in Cats

While cats can also be infected with heartworms, the disease behaves differently than in dogs. Cats typically have fewer adult worms or none at all, and most worms do not mature fully. Even immature heartworms can cause serious health issues, including heartworm-associated respiratory disease (HARD), which leads to symptoms like:

• Coughing or wheezing

• Difficulty breathing

• Vomiting

• Lack of appetite

• Weight loss

In severe cases, heartworms in cats can cause blood clots or inflammation in the lungs. The first sign of heartworm disease in a cat could even be sudden collapse or death.

Since there is no heartworm treatment for cats, prevention is the only way to protect them from this deadly disease.

How Powell Veterinary Clinic Can Help

At Powell Veterinary Clinic, we’re committed to keeping your pets safe from heartworm disease. We offer heartworm testing, parasite prevention, and education to ensure that your pets are well-protected. During your pet’s annual wellness exam, we’ll test for heartworms and discuss the best prevention options based on their age, lifestyle, and health.

Even if your pet is currently on heartworm prevention, it’s crucial to maintain regular testing and follow your veterinarian’s recommended schedule to ensure that the medication is being administered properly.

Take Action Today!

This National Heartworm Awareness Month, don’t wait to protect your pet’s heart and health. Contact us to schedule a heartworm test or discuss the right preventive plan for your pet. Together, we can make sure your furry friend stays happy, healthy, and heartworm-free!