Heartworm Disease
Understanding Heartworm Disease: What Every Pet Owner Should Know
Heartworm disease is a serious — and potentially fatal — condition that affects dogs, cats, and other mammals. The good news? It’s almost entirely preventable. At our clinic, we believe education is one of the most powerful tools in protecting your pet’s health.
Here’s what you need to know.
What Is Heartworm Disease?
Heartworm disease is caused by a parasitic worm called Dirofilaria immitis. These worms live in the heart, lungs, and blood vessels of infected animals, where they can cause severe lung disease, heart failure, and damage to other organs.
Heartworm disease has been diagnosed in all 50 states and around the world. Any pet that is exposed to mosquitoes is at risk.
How Do Pets Get Heartworms?
Heartworms are spread through the bite of an infected mosquito.
Here’s how it works:
- A mosquito bites an infected animal and picks up microscopic baby worms (microfilariae).
- The larvae develop inside the mosquito.
- When the mosquito bites another pet, it transmits the larvae.
- Over several months, the larvae mature into adult heartworms that live in the heart and lungs.
It only takes one mosquito bite to start an infection.
Symptoms of Heartworm Disease
In Dogs
Dogs are natural hosts for heartworms, meaning the parasites can mature and multiply inside them. Symptoms may include:
- Persistent cough
- Fatigue after mild activity
- Decreased appetite
- Weight loss
- Difficulty breathing
- Swollen abdomen (in advanced cases)
In severe infections, dogs can develop a life-threatening condition called caval syndrome, which requires emergency intervention.
In Cats
Heartworm disease in cats is different — and often more difficult to diagnose. Even a small number of worms can cause significant damage. Symptoms may include:
- Coughing or asthma-like attacks
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Sudden collapse
- Sudden death in rare cases
There is currently no approved treatment to eliminate heartworms in cats, making prevention especially important.
Why Prevention Is So Important
Heartworm prevention is safe, simple, and far less expensive than treatment.
Treatment for dogs:
- Requires months of restricted activity
- Involves a series of injections
- Can be costly
- Carries some risk of complications
Prevention, on the other hand, is typically given monthly (oral or topical) or as a long-lasting injection administered at your veterinary clinic.
We recommend:
- Year-round prevention
- Annual heartworm testing for dogs
- Routine wellness exams
Even indoor pets are at risk because mosquitoes can easily enter homes.
How We Can Help
At our clinic, we:
- Perform annual heartworm testing
- Provide safe and effective preventive medications
- Develop personalized prevention plans for your pet
- Guide you through treatment if your pet tests positive
Protecting your pet from heartworm disease is one of the simplest ways to ensure a long, healthy life.
Schedule Your Pet’s Heartworm Test Today
If your pet is not currently on heartworm prevention — or if it’s time for annual testing — contact our team today. We’re here to answer your questions and help you make the best decisions for your pet’s health.
Prevention is powerful. Let’s keep your pet protected.
Rachel Stawski, DVM
sBear Creek Animal Clinic
1955 Ashland St.
Ashland, OR 97520
(541) 488-0120
