As a pet parent, your fur baby’s health is a top priority. One of the most important things you can do to protect them is to invest in heartworm prevention. When left unaddressed and untreated, these harmful pests can be fatal. Here’s what veterinarians want pet owners to know about prevention and treatment.

4 FAQ About Heartworms

What are heartworms? 

Heartworms are parasitic roundworms. They are thin and round and can grow to nearly a foot long once they mature inside a host. Once inside their host, these worms inhabit the lungs, heart, and large blood vessels.

They can infect many types of mammals, including wild animals, domestic dogs, cats, and ferrets. Mosquitoes pass heartworms from one animal to another through their bites.

What are the symptoms? 

Animals do not typically experience symptoms until the worms are fully mature. At that point, your pet may exhibit symptoms, such as coughing, fatigue, weight loss, and lack of appetite.

If you notice any of these changes in your furry friend, visit a veterinarian as soon as possible. Without treatment, heartworms can cause organ failure, lung clots, or pulmonary collapse—all of which can be fatal. 

Is contraction seasonally dependent? 

Since mosquitoes pass heartworms to mammals, pet owners must live in a climate with adequate temperatures and humidity levels to attract and support mosquito populations. However, heartworm contraction is not necessarily seasonally dependent. It is essential to take year-round preventative measures.

How are they treated? 

Veterinarians recommend getting a blood test every spring to check for heartworms. If a pet tests positive, they may recommend additional tests, including X-rays and more bloodwork. A vet may administer adulticide treatment, which involves drug injections to shorten the life span of the heartworms. Treatment usually lasts at least six months, and most vets recommend keeping your pet as quiet and inactive as possible during that time.

Heartworm prevention is significantly easier and less expensive. Veterinarians recommend starting a preventative regimen at about 12 weeks of age. Use window screens to keep mosquitoes out of the house, and avoid walking your pet in mosquito-prone areas, such as near bodies of standing water.

If you are interested in heartworm prevention or worry your pet may be infected, turn to the compassionate veterinarians at Pet Care Specialists in Columbus, NE. These caring professionals have been a cornerstone of the community for more than 22 years, providing a range of pet care and veterinary services. Call (402) 564-3565 to speak with a friendly team member to schedule an appointment, or visit them online to learn more about how they can help your family.