Heartworm in Dogs

In adulthood, heartworm lives in the heart and pulmonary arteries of an infected dog. Dogs acquire this infection through mosquito bites as mosquitos readily pick up larval heartworms from infected dogs and carry them to other dogs. 

Heartworm in Cats

The heartworm larvae, which enter the cat’s bloodstream after it is bitten by an infected mosquito, eventually migrates to the heart or blood vessels of the lungs.

Heartworm Prevention

Heartworm is a fairly large worm that can grow up to 14 inches long and are carried by mosquitos and transmitted via a bite. Once cats or dogs are infected, it can cause obstructive lung disease and heart disease. The prognosis and time before death is dependent on the number of worms in the heart and lungs. We offer the following preventative care treatments:

Inverhart Max (generic Hartgard) : Protects against Heartworms, Roundworms, Hookworms and Tapeworms.

Interceptor : Protects against Heartworms, Roundworms, Hookworms and Whipworms.

Sentinel : Prevents heartworm disease and flea populations, controls hookworm, removes and controls roundworms and whipworms.

Trifexis : Prevents heartworm, hookworm, roundworm and whipworm, kills fleas within 30 minutes.

Also note - because the heartworm tests on the market either look for microfilariae or for adult heartworm proteins, they will not detect infection within immature worms. This is why it takes 5 to 7 months from the time of exposure to receive a valid heartworm test. There is no point to test puppies or kittens under 5 to 7 months of age. 

To learn more about Heartworm disease and prevention, visit the following informational resources: BravoVets and American Heartworm Society.