Heartworms are a very dangerous threat to the health of dogs and cats. These tiny organisms are transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. Even pets that spend the majority of their time indoors are at risk, as it only takes just one bite for an infected mosquito to transmit this disease.
In dogs, these worms will accumulate in the pulmonary artery, which is the main blood vessel that leaves the heart going to the lungs. As infections worsen and heartworms reproduce, blood flow out of the heart can become restricted, resulting in symptoms of exercise intolerance, coughing, and eventually heart failure and death.
In cats, the adult worms are less likely to survive, but the larval form of these worms can cause some severe inflammatory changes in the lungs. Cats rarely show any signs of problems other than possibly a mild cough or increased frequency of vomiting. Unfortunately, the most common sign of heartworm disease in cats is sudden death.
Fortunately, there is a way for our pets to be protected against this deadly disease. Monthly preventative medications can be given that will prevent development of heartworm disease. These medications are often in the oral form, but can be administered as a topical medication, as well. These products often also have ingredients to prevent various intestinal parasites in your pet, as well. There is even a longer-acting injectable product for dogs that your veterinarian can administer that will protect your pet from heartworms for 6 or even 12 months.
If a dog does happen to get infected, there is a treatment that can be administered, but it is a long and expensive treatment which also requires multiple months of activity restriction and a mild chance of respiratory complications. Cats, unfortunately, cannot receive this treatment as they do not tolerate it well. So, prevention is the key to keep your dog or cat from getting this terrible disease.
One other recommendation with regards to heartworm prevention is that pets take these preventions year-round. There are some colder climates where it may be safe to skip a couple of months over the winter, but in our climate, it does not stay cold enough for long enough to ensure that no mosquitos will be in the environment. We’ve all seen those nice 60 degree days in mid-January or February. This is all it takes for some mosquitos to emerge and infect your pet.
Be sure to ask your veterinary team about which heartworm prevention products are best for your pet, and remember, it only takes just one bite!
