When it comes to pet health, it's important to have a trusted veterinarian who can monitor their wellness each year. Kapolei Pet Hospital and Dr. Yoko Haneda provide Oahu locals and their four-legged friends with top-of-the-line care from annual checkups to general surgery. One of the risks to pet health is heartworm disease, which can make your furry friend sick, as this is a potentially fatal disease. 

If you have a pet, you should be aware of this common risk. Below is everything you should know about pet health and heartworms, as well as how to prevent them.

What Is Heartworm Disease?

Just like it sounds, heartworm disease is a series of long worms that live and grow in an animal’s most important parts of their body: the heart, lungs, and blood vessels. While you’re probably familiar with dogs getting heartworms, cats can also be affected, just with a less number of worms. In both animals, it can be incredibly dangerous, as heartworms can multiply and damage the areas they thrive in, often becoming life-threatening.

How Do I Know If My Pet Has It?

While it’s not a simple diagnose from the outside, you know your pet and their behavior best. If your dog starts acting lethargic, not wanting to eat, or gets a cough, your pet could have heartworms. In cats, signs can vary and sometimes don’t even appear, but coughing or weight loss are common symptoms to watch out for. Ultimately, a veterinarian is the best person to test your furry friend for this disease and take action promptly.

How Can I Take Preventative Care?

The best course of action is to take preventative care, so your pet doesn’t deal with these harmful worms. Having a yearly checkup is crucial to any pet’s health, find an animal clinic you feel comfortable with for your pet’s needs. A knowledgeable veterinarian can monitor an animal’s overall wellness and catch things like this before they get too difficult to treat. Preventative care can include prescribed heartworm medication, both orally and topical, and your vet will help you decide on the best option. Regardless, it’s crucial to have an annual appointment to check in on your dog or cat.

If you have pets in your home, make sure they are set up with an affordable veterinarian you trust to take care of your pets’ health. If you’re looking for a place in the Oahu area, give Kapolei Pet Hospital a call at (808) 462-8040 to make an appointment with a friendly staff member. As a full-service pet hospital, they have everything from pet checkups to spaying and neutering services. To browse a list of services, visit the website. You can also get updates by liking the Facebook page.