Protecting your pet against heartworm disease is a concerted effort that includes parasite prevention and risk control. Heartworm disease is a potentially fatal condition caused by parasitic worms infiltrating the blood vessels, heart, and lungs. Just one infected mosquito’s bite can transmit microscopic heartworm larvae to your pet. Because of heartworm disease’s possible life-threatening consequences, our All Breed Pet Care team explains what you need to know to protect your furry friend from this parasitic disease.

A perilous parasite: Understanding heartworm disease in pets

Heartworm disease is caused by Dirofilaria immitis, a parasitic worm that is transmitted to pets through mosquito bites. Heartworms impact cats, dogs, and many other mammals, but they are most often diagnosed in dogs. These worms grow and multiply once inside a pet’s body, residing in the bloodstream and major body organs, notably the heart. The heartworm life cycle begins with microfilariae inside the affected mosquito that develop into larvae. The larvae can then be transmitted to a host, such as a cat or a dog, and these larvae develop into adult heartworms, growing up to 12 inches in length.

Red flags: Heartworm disease risks and signs in pets

All dogs and cats have a risk of contracting heartworm disease if they are inadequately protected. However, certain factors may increase their infection likelihood. A pet’s geographic location—living in or visiting areas with a high mosquito population, including Indiana—increases their mosquito exposure. In addition, pets who spend time outside and have inadequate parasite preventive protection have a high risk of contracting heartworm disease.

Heartworm disease is insidious, and an infected pet exhibits few signs until the disease has progressed. Disease signs vary depending on the infection’s severity. Speak with our All Breed Pet Care veterinarian so we can expediently examine and test your pet for heartworm if they exhibit any of the following signs:

  • Soft, dry cough
  • Fatigue
  • Disinterest in exercise
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Vomiting
  • Decreased appetite
  • Sudden collapse 

Heartworm disease treatment for pets

If your pet is diagnosed with heartworm disease, the treatment process can be long and arduous. Treatment typically involves a series of medications to kill the adult worms and strict exercise restrictions to minimize a pet’s complication risk. Surgical extraction may be necessary when worms have infiltrated a pet’s heart and lungs. 

Despite the bad news about treating heartworm disease, parasite prevention is in your hands. You can take proactive steps to protect your four-legged friend from parasitic infections such as heartworm disease.

Guarding your pet against heartworm disease

Preventing heartworm disease is far easier and more cost-effective than treating an infected pet. Safeguard your four-legged friend from heartworm dangers by following these tips:

  • Provide parasite preventives — Keep your pet on a veterinarian-prescribed monthly oral, topical, or injectable heartworm preventive.
  • Year-round prevention is necessary — Maintain your pet’s parasite prevention year-round, including winter months, as average temperatures have increasingly warmed over the decades, allowing mosquitoes to thrive no matter the season, no matter the location.
  • Schedule annual wellness exams — Adhere to your pet’s annual wellness appointment schedule, during which your veterinarian will screen for heartworms and other parasites.
  • Remove standing water — Remove standing water from the yard, including draining birdbaths, water fountains, and unused pools.
  • Remove debris from your yard — Make your yard unwelcoming to mosquitoes by removing weeds and tall grasses that can harbor insects and wildlife.
  • Use mosquito repellent cautiously — Using citronella candles and other repellents may work to keep mosquitoes at bay, but they are also potentially toxic to your pet. Use caution by ensuring your pet cannot access these products or use pet-safe alternatives. 
  • Play outdoors when mosquitoes are less active — Avoid playing outdoors with your pet during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. 
  • Veterinary testing for parasites — If you forget to give your pet their monthly preventive, you may need to have our team test your furry pal for heartworm disease. Even skipping one parasite preventive dose puts your pet at risk. To ensure you remember, note on your calendar when you should give your pet their heartworm preventive.

Spending time outside with your pet is a wonderful way to bond, but outdoor pests can cause your pet more harm than an itch. Heartworm disease poses a significant threat to your furry pal’s health and well-being. By understanding the risks and signs and implementing preventive measures, you can safeguard your four-legged friend from this preventable yet serious disease. Is your pet on heartworm prevention? When was the last time they were tested? Give our All Breed Pet Care team a call so we can ensure your pet is protected from heartworm disease.