All About Heartworm Disease in Dogs
What are heartworms and how do they affect dogs?
Heartworms are parasites that live in your dog's heart. They lead to lung and heart disease.
How does a dog get heartworm disease?
Heartworm is transmitted by an infected mosquito biting your dog and transmitting that parasite to them.
How does my vet diagnose heartworm disease?
Heartworm disease is diagnosed by a simple blood draw and a test that takes about 10 minutes.
How often should I be testing my dog?
You should be testing your dog every year for heartworm.
How does that test work?
A small blood sample is taken and tested for the antigen of the heartworm. If that test is positive, we know that your pet has heartworm.
What are the signs of heartworm disease in a dog?
Heartworm disease has very few symptoms until it reaches a fairly advanced stage, which can lead to significant heart and lung issues and potentially death if untreated.
How do I treat my dog if they do get heartworm disease?
If your pet gets heartworm disease, you'll need to hospitalize your dog for injections to kill the parasite, followed by several months of activity restriction.
How can I prevent my dog from getting heartworm disease?
Preventing heartworm disease is simple. Multiple preventives are available, from orals to injectables.
What should I do if I forgot to give my dog their heartworm preventative?
If you forgot to give your dog their heartworm preventative, we recommend testing early to ensure that the missed dose did not result in a positive test.
Does every dog need to have heartworm preventative?
Every dog needs heartworm preventative. You can't prevent mosquitoes from coming into your house, and most dogs go outside, even if briefly.
How successful is treatment for heartworms?
Heartworm treatment is successful, but the damage done after having heartworm disease is irreversible. Prevention is key.
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