There are many forms of preventive treatments available to keep pets healthy, and some are more important than others. If you ask the pet health experts from Hilton Veterinary Hospital, in Hilton, NY, preventive heartworm medication is among the most critical types of treatment you can give your pet. Here, their knowledgeable staff explains why.

Why Heartworm Medication Is Part of Pet Health

What Is Heartworm?

Heartworms are parasitic worms which can live in the vital organs of cats and dogs, including the liver and heart. Left unaddressed, heartworm disease can be fatal, and while there are medications available to eradicate the parasites, clearing the infection isn’t always easy. Dogs are the most common hosts for this potentially fatal disease, but cats can also contract the worms.

How is Heartworm Contracted?

One of the reasons heartworm is such a serious concern among pet owners is because it’s fairly simple for pets to contract. All it takes is for an infected mosquito to bite your animal, then the bite will pass tiny larvae into your pet’s body. While many pet owners have become diligent about keeping their animals protected, wild species like foxes, coyotes, and wolves can continue to spread the disease throughout communities.

How Can I Protect My Pet?

Fortunately, heartworm prevention is a simple part of pet health care. For pets under the age of seven months, monthly heartworm preventive regimens can be administered via tablet, topical treatment, or injection. Animals older than seven months will need to be checked for the disease before preventive treatments can be administered. Although protection is most important during seasons when mosquitoes are active, many animal care professionals recommend year-round prevention in case of any extreme weather variances which could make the parasites active.

From preventive care to emergency services, the team from Hilton Veterinary Hospital has everything needed to maintain optimal pet health at every stage of life. If you’d like to learn more about heartworm preventives or need to schedule an office visit for your pet, call (585) 392-2937. You can also visit the office’s website for additional information.