As a pet owner, you do everything you can to keep your furry friend healthy and happy. But there’s one invisible threat that too often goes unnoticed—heartworm disease. This parasite-transmitted condition is not just dangerous, it’s potentially deadly. But it is also entirely preventable. At ABC Veterinary Clinic of Lewisville, we believe heartworm awareness is your first line of defense. You can stay ahead of the risk and keep your pet protected all year long.
Understanding the Danger of Heartworm Disease
Heartworm disease is caused by long, thread-like worms that live in the heart and major blood vessels of infected cats and dogs. Spread through the bite of a mosquito, these parasites grow and multiply inside the pet’s body, damaging the lungs and heart over time.
Dogs are the primary hosts, but cats can also become infected. Because symptoms are often mild or nonexistent in the early stages, pets can suffer significant internal damage before signs ever appear.
How Preventive Medications and Heartworm Testing Work
Heartworm preventatives kill the immature larvae that enter your pet’s system through mosquito bites. These medications don’t work by blocking the mosquito—they work by stopping the parasite before it can mature. Most preventatives are given monthly, either as a chewable tablet or a topical liquid. Some parasite prevention options offer added protection against other parasites like fleas, ticks, and intestinal worms. The key to prevention is consistency. Skipping even one dose can leave your pet vulnerable.
Even pets on year-round preventives need annual heartworm testing.
- No medication is 100% effective.
- Pets may spit out, vomit, or metabolize medication differently.
- Early-stage infections may go unnoticed without symptoms.
The test is quick and simple—just a small blood sample is all it takes to confirm that your pet is heartworm-free.
Top 5 Reasons to Stay on Top of Heartworm Prevention
1) It’s much easier (and cheaper) to prevent than treat.
2) Heartworm treatment can be risky and painful for pets.
3) Mosquitoes are active year-round in many areas.
4) Prevention can protect both dogs and cats.
5) Heartworm infections often show no symptoms until they have advanced.
FAQs About Heartworm
Can indoor cats get heartworm?
Yes. Even cats or dogs that do not frequently go outside are at risk, as mosquitos can easily fly through open doors or windows.
Is heartworm prevention necessary in colder winter months?
Yes, heartworm preventatives should be given year-round. Mosquitoes can survive indoors and reappear during unexpected warm spells.
Is heartworm contagious between pets?
No. Heartworm disease must be transmitted by a mosquito. However, an outdoor pet may bring an infected mosquito into your home to infect an indoor pet.
Make Heartworm Prevention a Year-Round Habit
Heartworm disease is serious, but the solution is simple. By sticking to a consistent prevention routine and scheduling annual testing with ABC Veterinary Clinic of Lewisville, you’re giving your pet the protection they need to live a long, healthy life. Let’s protect your pet together. If you are a pet owner in Lewisville, Flower Mound, Hebron, or a nearby area, book an appointment for a heartworm test or start a heartworm disease prevention plan today!