National Heartworm Awareness Month: What You Should Know

This month is National Heartworm Awareness Month. With mosquito season fast approaching, there's never been a better time to improve your knowledge of this serious disease and educate yourself on how to safeguard your canine companion. Here at Walnut Street Animal Hospital, our skilled veterinarians provide effective heartworm preventatives near Apex and are here to help you give your dog the healthy, parasite-free life they deserve. Keep scrolling to find out more about heartworm and how you can prevent it.  

Heartworm Disease in Dogs

Heartworm disease occurs when a dog or another animal is bitten by an infected mosquito. The heartworms reach up to a foot in length and live in the heart, lungs, and blood vessels, resulting in irreversible damage. When left untreated, the parasites continue to grow and multiply, leading to further issues, including poor health and a decreased lifespan.

Heartworm disease causes a wide range of symptoms, including:

• Persistent cough
• Fatigue, especially after exercise
• Weight loss
• Reduced appetite
• Bloated abdomen
• Light-colored gums
• Labored breathing

How to Prevent Heartworm

Heartworm disease is difficult to treat and causes irreversible organ damage. As a result, heartworm prevention is crucial for dogs. Heartworm preventatives come in numerous forms, including chewable pills, topicals, and injectable medications.

The American Heartworm Society suggests keeping your dog on an effective heartworm preventative medication throughout the entire year.  Annual heartworm testing is crucial for dogs, too — even those taking heartworm preventatives. While heartworm preventatives are very effective, dogs can still contract heartworm disease. Having your dog tested yearly allows their veterinarian to detect infections in their early stages when they are most treatable.

Call Now for Heartworm Prevention near Apex

When your canine companion needs heartworm prevention near Apex, let us lend a paw. We offer heartworm screening and will help you decide what type of heartworm preventative is most suitable for your pet. With our help, your canine companion will get to live a long, healthy, and happy life free from dangerous parasites. Contact us today to make an appointment.