As National Heartworm Awareness Month, April is the best time of year to learn about this condition. Heartworms primarily affect dogs, although they can infect cats as well under the right circumstances. At Mililani Town Center Pet Clinic on Oahu, their veterinarians want to ensure all pet owners are thoroughly familiar with the steps they can take to keep their furry friends safe from this parasite. Take a look at the following key information.

What Your Veterinarian Wants You to Know About Heartworm

What Is Heartworm?

Heartworm is a parasite that primarily infects dogs. It takes hold when a mosquito carrying its larvae lands on or near them, leaving the larvae behind.

When a dog is infected with heartworm, they may exhibit signs of minor exhaustion, especially when made to exercise. In more serious cases, dogs develop labored breathing. Sometimes, there are so many heartworms infecting a dog that they block blood flow to the heart—this is potentially fatal.

However, some animals infected with heartworm are asymptomatic, showing no clear signs of infection. That’s why it’s important to schedule regular visits with your pet care specialist to make sure your dog or cat is healthy and free of parasites.

Prevention

If an animal is diagnosed with heartworm, their pet care team will prescribe medication that kill the worms. This medication can sometimes trigger unpleasant side effects, so the best course of action is to prevent an infection in the first place.

To do so, ask your veterinarian to offer a preventive medication. These products, when given to dogs according to a proper schedule, stop heartworm larvae from infecting an animal.

At Mililani Town Center Pet Clinic, serving Oahu, their veterinarians will make sure you have all the tools you need to keep your dog healthy and happy. Contact them online to learn more about making an appointment, or call (808) 625-6744.