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Recent flooding in the Troy and Wentzville areas of Missouri has allowed many insect populations to thrive, including mosquitoes. The flying, biting insects are the only way dogs contract heartworm disease, which left untreated, clogs a canine’s heart, lungs, and surrounding vessels with hundreds of foot-long parasites. Without timely heartworm prevention, the disease eventually causes organ failure. Keep your four-legged friend safe by learning more about the disease and what you can do.

What Canine Heartworm Prevention Tips Do I Need to Know?

The Signs of Heartworm & When to Schedule Testing

Heartworm disease reports come from every U.S. state. Larvae reach maturity inside a dog about seven months after the animal is bitten, causing the parasites to make “homes” in hearts and lungs for reproduction purposes. Symptoms manifest as heartworms multiply and can include coughing and fluid retention. Many dogs with heartworm get exhausted easily during play and exercise because they cannot breathe normally. Severe symptoms include asthma-like attacks, decreased appetite and weight loss, abnormal lung sounds, and occasional vomiting.

heartworm preventionWhile heartworm cannot be passed between canines or to humans and other animals, such as cats, the earlier it is identified, the better chance your dog has of recovering. Get the canine tested every six months to a year depending on its age since heartworms appear in screenings only when they are seven months or older.

The Importance of Year-Round Preventive Treatment

Regular testing and other heartworm prevention measures are your dog’s best defenses against the potentially fatal disease. Administer preventative medication year-round to protect your pooch from mosquitoes, even if the biting insects only appear during certain times of the year. It keeps your canine on schedule, so you don’t have to scramble to provide treatment when you see the first mosquito of the season.

And, since flooding can occur at any time of year, routine medication administration offers extra protection. Your veterinarian will review the types of medication available to determine what’s best for your dog’s breed and current health. Other heartworm prevention tips include monitoring your property for standing water that mosquitoes use to breed. Ask your neighbors to do the same and plant herbs repulsive to the insects around your yard, such as basil, lavender, and mint. 

 

If it’s time for heartworm prevention testing, make an appointment with Troy & Wentzville Veterinary Clinic. The full-service animal hospital helps pets throughout Eastern Missouri stay healthy and offers more than 60 years in the business. Call (636) 528-4534 today to schedule your dog’s appointment or visit the veterinarians online for small and large animal wellness information. Get more pet care tips on Facebook.

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