May is Heartworm Prevention Month

May is Heartworm Prevention Month

"Heartworms? My pet won't get heartworms!"
"I take care of my pet; it stays home with me and in my yard!"

You know that annoying mosquito flying around in your living room?  Did you see the pesky one that got you when you took out the trash?  What about the one you just slapped on your arm?

Any one of them could be carrying the potential for Heartworm Disease.  Mosquitoes are the only way that pets get heartworms (humans do not get Heartworms).  The infected mosquito carries the larvae (A little baby worm) and when the mosquito bites the pet, the heartworm larvae is then transferred to the blood of the pet. 

Heartworm prevention is one of the most important tools that you can use to protect your pet's health.  It's not just dogs; cats can get heartworms, too.  Using Heartworm preventative does not stop the mosquitoes from biting your pet, but can prevent the Heartworm larvae from thriving, becoming adults, and traveling to the heart.  Once at the level of the heart, the worms begin to cause damage.  This damage will eventually lead to congestive heart failure.

The best way to protect your pet from Heartworm Disease is to keep him or her on prevention all year long. Since most preventative medications have risk of breakthrough, we also recommend testing for heartworm disease annually or biannually. We have a few different options for protecting your pet here at Orrville Veterinary Clinic;

For our canine patients, we recommend:
Trifexis – a chewable tablet that prevents Heartworms, fleas and intestinal parasites
Iverhart – a chewable tablet that prevents Heartworms and intestinal parasites
Proheart – an injectable medication that prevents Heartworms for 6 months

For our feline friends, we recommend:
Revolution – a topical medication that prevents Heartworms, fleas and intestinal parasites

If you have questions about Heartworm Disease, feel free to contact our experienced medical team and we would be glad to assist you in your choice of Heartworm prevention

Article Written by Robin Evans, edited and published by Jeff Fink, D.V.M. for use on the websites of the Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Seville Wadsworth Veterinary Clinic and Akron Barberton Veterinary Clinic.