Heartworm Awareness

By Dr. Amber Leistner

Did you know…April is National Heartworm Awareness month?

As a pet owner, you have likely heard your veterinarian talk about heartworms. However, you may not exactly understand what they are, how they are spread, and why they are a danger to your pets. Noah’s Animal Hospitals are here to help answer your questions.

Heartworms are a type of parasite that live in the heart and blood vessels of some animals, including both cats and dogs. Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes. Once an infected mosquito bites your pet, some of the young (larva) stages of heartworms are transmitted to your pet. Over the span of a few months, these larva develop into long, spaghetti looking worms that live in the heart and vessels that supply blood to the lungs. Heartworms cause a long and progressive illness often resulting in heart and lung disease as well as a generalized detriment to overall health.

                    

The good news is that heartworms are completely preventable. Like many other illnesses, prevention of heartworm infection is much safer and more affordable than treatment. There are many prescription medications available from your veterinarian that can prevent heartworms as well as many other parasites. It is important to know that heartworm medications are prescription medications and can only be obtained from a licensed veterinarian; they cannot be purchased over-the-counter. These medications are indicated to give monthly, year-round. Heartworms were previously considered to be a seasonal and/or geographic concern. However, research has shown that our current lifestyles often allow the mosquitoes that carry heartworms to survive through the winter in homes, thus creating a year-round risk for our pets. Heartworms, and the mosquitoes that transmit them, can live in much more varied geographic areas than previously thought. Heartworm cases have long been identified in all 48 continental states but are much more common in our area of the mid-west and southern states.

A map of heartworm incidence in the US

Noah’s Animal Hospitals follow the recommendations of The American Heartworm Society in recommending annual heartworm testing for dogs and year-round heartworm and parasite prevention for cats and dogs.

That’s right; don’t forget about your cat. Many cat owners are not aware that heartworms don’t affect just dogs. While dogs are the primary host infected with heartworms, cats can be infected too. Heartworm prevention is just as important for your feline friend…perhaps even more important as we do not have an FDA approved treatment for heartworm infection in cats.

That brings us to treatment for dogs. How do you know if your pet has been infected and what can be done to treat the infection? The first step is having your dog tested at least yearly as recommended. Should your dog unfortunately become infected, it is important to discuss treatment with your veterinarian thoroughly. However, treatment often involves the use of a series of injectable medications used to kill the adult heartworms living in your dog’s heart and blood vessels. Again, heartworms are completely preventable and prevention is much safer and easier for both you and your pet.

Noah’s Animal Hospitals wants to help protect your pet from heartworms. If you have any questions regarding heartworms, testing, prevention, or any other medical concern please call our talented and dedicated medical staff. We are here to be the best friend of your best friend.

Check out the links below for more heartworm information:

HeartwormSociety.org

CAPCvet.org