Heartworm Prevention
When mosquitoes bite, they can transmit heartworm infection, which can cause severe damage to your dog or cat’s heart, lungs, and blood vessels.
These parasites can sometimes go unnoticed, but their impact can be devastating.
In dogs, heartworm disease may present with symptoms such as coughing, fatigue, weight loss, difficulty breathing, and a swollen abdomen due to fluid accumulation from heart failure. A serious complication known as "caval syndrome" can occur, where the condition leads to liver failure. Without immediate surgical intervention, this condition is often fatal.
Although cats are less commonly affected, they can still contract heartworms. Cats with heartworm-associated respiratory disease (HARD) may exhibit subtle symptoms that mimic asthma or allergic bronchitis, including rapid or difficult breathing, wheezing, panting, coughing, vomiting unrelated to eating, and loss of appetite or weight. Diagnosing heartworm infection in cats can be more challenging than in dogs.
Preventing heartworm infection is far less costly and safer than treating it, which can be both expensive and potentially fatal in dogs. For cats, there is no approved treatment, and even a few adult heartworms can cause serious issues.
To keep your furry friend safe, consider administering monthly heartworm preventives. We offer various options, including the ProHeart injection, which provides long-term protection against heartworms. Many heartworm preventatives also guard against other parasites like roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, ear mites, fleas, and ticks. We can help you choose the most suitable prevention plan for your pet’s needs.
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