Is my Pet at Risk for Heartworm Disease?

In fact, yes…both dogs and cats, indoor and outdoor are at risk for heartworm disease, and El Dorado County has been deemed a “high risk” area. Heartworm disease is transmitted by mosquitoes, and although the mosquito population is lower in the winter months, we recommend prevention ALL year long.

 

What is Heartworm?
Canine Heartworm disease develops when a dog is bitten by a mosquito carrying microscopic heartworm larvae of a parasite called dirofilaria immitus. As a mosquito feeds, the larvae are deposited and quickly penetrate the skin to begin their migration into the bloodstream, and toward the heart. Adult heartworms can grow 10 to 12 inches in length and live in the heart and lungs.

Heartworm Lifecycle-

• A mosquito bites an infected animal, ingesting heartworm microfilaria (young heartworms).

• Microfilaria mature into heartworm larvae inside the mosquito (10-14 days)

• Infected Mosquito bites an animal, transmitting the larvae.

• Larvae enter the animals bloodstream, migrate to the heart and lungs, grow to a foot long and become sexually mature (6-7 months) and produce microfilaria of their own, which are available in the animals bloodstream to infect other mosquitoes.

• Adult heartworms can live within the heart and lungs for 5-7 years. Because adult heartworms live for 5-7 years, each mosquito season can lead to an ever increasing number of worms in unprotected animals.

How Do I Protect My Pets?
As the old saying goes, “Prevention is the best medicine”. A once monthly treatment, prescribed by your veterinarian is the only way to prevent heartworm disease. The prevention is easy to give and comes in several different forms. Your veterinarian can help you decide which is best for you and your pet. Heartworm preventives are effective when given properly and on a timely schedule. Prevention is more safe and affordable than treating dogs with adult heartworm infections, and there is NO treatment for cats.

My Pet is on a Preventative Medication. Why Do We Need to Test?
Unfortunately, not ALL medications can be 100 % effective 100% of the time. There are several instances where a pet on preventive medication contracts heartworm disease. The first and foremost reason is that the medication is not administered properly or on time. Most commonly, we see heartworm disease in pets who have repeated missed doses. Early detection is best, which is why we recommend testing!