Heartworm disease, Dirofilaria immitis, is highly prevalent in the Southeastern US as they are carried by a common enemy, the mosquito. Once transmitted by a mosquito bite, microfilaria or baby heart worms circulate in the bloodstream throughout the body.
Once matured into adults (~6 months after infection), they like to live in the pulmonary vein. This is a large vein between the heart and lungs. Heart worms like to cause inflammation in the lungs (the reason for coughing) and at later stages of the disease, they live in a chamber on the right side of the heart (right ventricle). Once living in the heart itself, this is called Caval syndrome. Patients with this will often have a distended abdomen (fluid on their belly) and show common signs of heart failure. These can include lethargy, sleeping more, and decreased appetite or refusal to eat.
What are common symptoms of Heartworm disease?
- Losing weight
- Less active than before
- Coughing
- Breathing heavier or panting more than normal
Can my pet have heart worm disease without showing any symptoms?
- YES!
This is a reason that we recommend heart worm tests yearly.
Due to the devastating effects of this disease, we recommend using Heartworm prevention. No matter which prevention you choose for your pet, we recommend using it ALL YEAR. Mosquitos are active in temperatures over 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, on a random 55 degree day in November, December, January or February; your pet can STILL be infected with heart worms through a mosquito bite!
There are many heart worm preventatives on the market. Our favorites include Interceptor Plus, Heartgard Plus, and Simparica Trio. We also offer a year long injection called Proheart 12 as a more convenient alternative to monthly dosing.
Common Questions:
Why am I required to test my pet yearly if I haven’t skipped any doses of heart worm prevention?
- Company guidelines (for ALL preventions) state that if you show no gaps in purchasing heart worm prevention for your pet and they are infected with Heartworms while on the product, your pet’s treatment is paid for in full.
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- This ONLY applies to prevention purchased from our online pharmacy.
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- There are areas of resistant heart worm populations, we are ensuring your preventative is working properly.
Do cats get Heartworms?
The short answer: Yes
The long answer:
- Cats do not show the same symptoms as dogs. Heartworm disease can mimic asthma in cats.
- Cat infections require different testing as they have a lower number of worms present compared to dogs. We have to send out a blood sample to test.
- There is NO treatment for heart worm infections in cats. It is a fatal disease.
What are my options if my dog has heartworms?
Treatment options vary depending on the stage of heart worm disease your dog has. Gold standard treatment can be costly, other options are available. Your veterinarian will help you decide which is best for your situation.
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