Do You Know Your Heartworm Basics?

Thu, 04/27/2017 - 8:30am

Heartworm is a serious, potentially fatal, disease that affects dogs and cats. It is a blood-born parasite that is spread by mosquitoes.

 

It is important to be aware of the signs of heartworm disease:

 

* dry cough

* shortness of breath (especially after exercise)

* weakness

* loss of appetite

* weight loss.

 

Advanced heartworm can clog the heart and major blood vessels leading to the lungs.

 

Heartworm can be diagnosed with a simple blood test for both dogs and cats.  Dogs that contract heartworm can be treated; however there is no approved treatment available at this time for cats.

 

Year round preventative care is the best way to avoid getting heartworm and is significantly cheaper than the cost of treating the disease.