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Preventing Heartworm Disease in Pets

Preventing Heartworm Disease in Pets

Heartworm disease is a serious mosquito-borne illness that can be found in a wide range of animals, including cats, dogs, and ferrets. Left untreated, heartworm disease can result in organ failure and death. Today, our Lincoln vets explain why prevention is key. 

What is heartworm disease?

Heartworm disease is spread through mosquito bites and is caused by a parasitic worm called Dirofilaria immitis. 

Pets including dogs, cats, and ferrets may become hosts for heartworms. This means that the parasitic worms live, mate, and produce offspring in the animal's heart, lungs and blood vessels. 

What are the symptoms of heartworm disease?

Unfortunately, symptoms of heartworm disease typically don't appear until the disease is advanced. The most common symptoms of heartworm disease include swollen abdomen, coughing, fatigue, weight loss, and difficulty breathing. 

How does my vet check my pet for heartworms?

Your vet can complete blood tests to detect heartworm proteins (antigens), which are released into the animal's bloodstream. Heartworm proteins can't be detected until about five months (at the earliest) after an animal is bitten by an infected mosquito.

What if my pet is diagnosed with heartworm?

Treatment for heartworm varies between cats and dogs. Heartworm treatment is often lengthy, uncomfortable, and potentially dangerous for your pet—and expensive for you. This is why we say prevention is the absolute best treatment for heartworm disease. 

If your pet is diagnosed with heartworms, your vet will discuss potential treatment options with you. For dogs, an FDA-approved medication (melarsomine dihydrochloride), which contains arsenic, will be given via a series of injections into your dog's back muscles. This treatment option is toxic to cats so your vet will discuss alternative therapies with you. In many cases, heartworm disease treatment for cats involves symptom management as it can be extremely difficult to get the heartworms out of your cat's system. 

How can I prevent my pet from getting heartworm disease?

It's important to keep your pet on preventive medication to prevent heartworm disease. Even if they are already on preventive heartworm medication, we recommend that dogs be tested for heartworms annually. 

Heartworm prevention is safer, easier, and much more affordable than treating the progressed disease. A number of heartworm preventive medications can also help protect against other parasites such as hookworms, whipworms, and roundworms.

Do you want to protect your pet from heartworm? Book an appointment at Critter Creek Veterinary Hospital today to discuss parasite preventives with one of our veterinarians. 

New Patients Welcome

Critter Creek Veterinary Hospital is accepting new patients! Our experienced vets are passionate about the health of pets in Lincoln and the Greater Sacramento Area. Get in touch today to book your pet's first appointment.

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