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Heartworm can be a devastating health condition for both dogs and cats. An infestation of these worms can sicken or even kill your pet. The experienced staff at Crescent Springs Animal Hospital in Crescent Springs, KY, is dedicated to ensuring that your pet lives a long, happy, and healthy life, and offer a wide array of services, including dental care, microchipping, and vaccinations. They'd like to share some important information about heartworm so you can keep your cat or dog safe.

  • What Are Heartworms?: Heartworms look a little like long strands of cooked spaghetti. They live in your pet’s blood vessels, heart, and lungs. One dog can have hundreds of heartworms. Cats get heartworms much less often than dogs, and usually only have a few worms. But no matter how many heartworms your pet has, serious health consequences can occur.
  • How Do Pets Get Heartworm?: Immature worms circulate in the blood of infected animals. When a mosquito bites an infected animal, such as a dog, wolf, or coyote, it sucks a little of the animal’s blood. Later, the mosquito bites your dog or cat and transfers the heartworm larvae to your pet.
  • What Are The Symptoms Of Heartworm?: If your dog has heartworms, you may notice symptoms like coughing, fatigue, loss of appetite, and weight loss. In the later stages of the condition, heart failure and death may occur. In addition to coughing, fatigue, and weight loss, cats may also have seizures, breathing problems, and trouble walking. Sudden death can occur if your cat is infected by heartworms.

    Crescent Springs Animal Hospital

  • How Can I Keep My Pet Safe?: Medication can kill your dog’s heartworms, but the process will take some time. Unfortunately, there is currently no medication available to treat heartworm in cats, although your veterinarian can prescribe drugs to manage the symptoms of the disease. The veterinarians at Crescent Springs Animal Hospital can help you protect your pet with a prescription topical or oral medication that is used year round.

Protecting your pet from heartworm starts with a visit to Crescent Springs Animal Hospital. Call them at (859) 331-6608 or view their many services, including dental care and emergency vet services, on their website.

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