The veterinarians at Waipahu Waikele Pet Hospital in Waipahu, HI have a lot of experience with heartworm disease. It's particularly common throughout Hawaii due to the warm, humid climate in which parasites are able to thrive. It's a very common ailment that animals are able to contract from any infected mosquito, which is why pet owners need to be well informed about heartworm disease and how to prevent it.

A crucial part of good animal care is knowing what puts your pet at risk for infection. With compassionate care and highly knowledgeable staff, Waipahu Waikele Pet Hospital can help you keep your furry friends safe from heartworms.

How to Recognize Heartworm Disease

It takes some time for symptoms to manifest themselves, which is why you need to bring your dog or cat to the veterinary hospital for annual testing, even if you don't notice any strange behavior. Eventually, heartworms can lead to serious health conditions, such as heart or pulmonary disease. There are, however, some signs you should keep an eye out for between annual checkups.

A dog with heartworms may experience:

• Lethargy
• Coughing
• Exercise Intolerance
• Overall Weakness

If you notice any of these symptoms, make an appointment with your veterinarian at Waipahu Waikele Pet Hospital right away. 

The Importance Of Frequent Testing

Bring your pet to the veterinary hospital for heartworm tests regularly each year. This is essential, because they will test negative for the disease for up to six or seven months after infection.

Feline Heartworm

Cats can also get heartworm disease, but their symptoms are often more severe and potentially deadly. Fortunately, their bodies are also more resistant to the infection. When they do contract the disease, there is no treatment option, which is why heartworm prevention is crucial to your cat's health.

Good News

The great news is, heartworms are very preventable thanks to modern medicine. You can purchase heartworm medication from your pet doctor at Waipahu Waikele Pet Hospital after they have tested your dog or cat for the disease and the results have come back negative. If you have more questions about heartworms, be sure to contact the hospital at (808) 671-7387. For more information on keeping your pet healthy and happy, visit Waipahu Waikele Pet Hospital online.