This month is heartworm awareness month! We have done blog posts in the past for this month with some facts but we are going to have a refresher course with updated maps!

How are heartworms transmitted?

            Heartworms are carried by mosquitoes. A mosquito will bite an infected dog (cat, wild canid, or ferret) and then the larvae are transferred when the mosquito bites the next animal.

What risk does my pet have of contracting heartworms?

            Here in Oklahoma Country we are in the “high risk” orange for both dogs and cats. These maps are from last year, and the predictions of infections are only increasing.

We are also at risk all year round as there are places that stay warm enough to let some species of mosquito be active in our “winter.”

How can I keep my pets protected against heartworms?

            Monthly oral or topical preventatives or the 6 month injectable heartworm preventative is the only reliable way to keep your pets protected. Though repelling mosquitoes help, it does not prevent the mosquitoes from biting 100%.

            They work by killing the immature stages of the heartworm that your pet acquired in the previous 30 days, preventing those baby worms from developing into mature adults that will harm your pet.  When your preventives are not given consistently on time, this provides a window of opportunity for the heartworm larvae to complete the life cycle.

How do you get your pets on prevention?

            These preventatives are by prescription only, which means your veterinarian must first examine them and do a heartworm test that tests negative before putting them on any prevention. Putting them on preventatives while they are positive could be potentially deadly for your pet.

            This test must also be repeated yearly to ensure they stay negative, as no preventions are 100% effective.

What happens if my pet gets heartworms?

            If your pet tests positive for heartworms this could be potentially deadly, but there is a treatment for adult heartworms. This treatment is costly both in terms of finances and time. The entire process lasts about 9 months. During that time your pet will also need to be on strict exercise restrictions, which can be problematic for some owners.

            The adult heartworms live in the heart and arteries of the lungs which could cause blockages in the valves of the heart. This causes exercise intolerance and may even lead to death, especially in the smaller animals like cats and ferrets where it only takes a couple to block the heart and/or lungs.

Have more questions? Feel free to call, email, or come in and we would be happy to answer!