April is National Heartworm Awareness Month.
Protect your dog from Heartworm Disease.
A Heartworm is a dangerous parasitic worm (Dirofilaria immitis) which lives in the heart and pulmonary arteries.
A Heartworm is transmitted via mosquito bites. The heartworm larvae enters the dog’s system through the mosquito bite and makes their way into the dog’s veins. This can happen in a matter of minutes. Below is a video on Heartworm Life Cycle from Bayer
Which Dogs are Prone to Heartworm Disease?
Heartworm Disease can occur to any breed of dog. It is common to occur in hot/humid regions, where mosquitos thrive.
First Symptoms of Heartworm Disease
Lung inflammation will bring on coughing or difficulty of breathing, loss of energy and dizziness. Some dogs exhibit no symptoms until late stages of infection. A trip to the vet and a simple blood test can confirm if a dog is infected.
Heartworms in dogs are EASY to PREVENT
but Difficult, Painful and Costly to Cure.
There are a variety of options for preventing heartworm infection which includes daily/monthly chewable and monthly topicals.. These medications interrupt heartworm development before adult worms reach the lungs. It is also recommended that all dogs should routinely be screened with a blood test for heartworm, annually in Spring or at the start of mosquito season.
Keep in mind as a dog owner: One of the most important ways to keep your dog healthy is to maintain a diligent heart worm prevention program.
Be Proactive About Heartworm Prevention.
Our friends from PetCareRx has launched a #HeartWormFree campaign.
PetCareRx is donating 25 cents to the American Heartworm Society for every share the #HeartWormFree campaign page receives on Facebook, Twitter, or via Email. Also, you can share stories and pictures with PetCareRx on Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #HeartWormFree
I did not realize that April is National Heartworm Awareness Month. Thanks for sharing this – it’s a good reminder to get heartworm shots.
Thanks for sharing this info Sugar! We just got our postcard from the vet! Happy Thursday!
Heartworm, bad >:(
Thanks for sharing.
Lots of Woofs from Earl an I at Earl’s World!
Fortunately the heartworm is very rare here, but during the last years some dogs were infected. We now use a spot on what prevents heartworms too. Many thanks for such an important post, Sugar.
We just got ours checked and new meds when we got our routines. An impawtent message. Thanks Sugar!
Your Pals,
Murphy & Stanley
Very informative great post! I shared it as well. Heart worm is so scary! I hate all these nasty parasites that our pets can get! We should all take the necessary precautions! Thats for sure!
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
Those heartworms are evil little boogers!
Very informative post Sugar, Mama makes sure we get our meds every month!!
Smileys!
Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo
I have been told repeatedly that we do not have Heartworm up here in my Canadian province. I, however, insist on giving my dog heartworm medicine every summer. Heartworm has been found in the province on either side of us. Very informative post and we thank you for sharing.
Thanks for an important post. Now I don’t have to do the one I have been planning for two weeks!
Heartworms break hearts! Thanks for a timely reminder. The mosquitoes are already here in Louisiana. Actually, I don’t think they ever leave!
That heartwo stuff is scary
Lily & Edward
I just had my annual test last Saturday. I love the 15th of every month because I get one of those yummy Heartgard pills
Hi Sugar….
Even in the South indoor kitties need heart worm preventive. I take Heartguard ever month…
Hugs madi your bfff
We have all our stuff done on time every three months and then a yearly booster and check up so we are covered for loads of things. Yikes those are really scary. Have a tremendous Thursday.
Best wishes Molly
March is heartworm month at our house. Every March we go in for our tests and get our prescriptions refilled. A very nasty disease!
We’d like to think it is not as common up here in the Northeast, but my sister’s neighbor’s dog had Heartworm, so I know it is around here. Our dogs are on a monthly preventative, and also get tested every 2 years.
Great information Sugar!
Excellent post, Sugar! Heartworm is preventable…and better to be safe than sorry. I hear the treatment for heartworm is terrierible to go through.
*Cairn cuddles*
Oz
Thanks for sharing this information Sugar. When Tuiren first started hanging around our house she had heartworms. Thanks to lots of help from our friends she was able to get the treatment and now she is on a monthly preventive just like Fenris. We are so thankful she is a survivor, but we wishes she had not had to suffer through that.
I’ve learned a lot about heartworm this month….including that it’s rare here in Western Washington (which is why I didn’t know much about it before). We do travel though so I am going to learn more about it. I might use a preventative if we are going to be traveling to an area where it is prevalent (it’s a monthly thing right? so I can give them a dose a few weeks before we go??
Our dogs had their checks in March and started their meds April 1. 🙂
Didn’t know there was a dedicated to Heartworm. BJ gets his dose every month. He thinks it’s a treat.
Thanks for the reminder! Our two just got their yearly heartworm test and are good to go 🙂 So many underestimate the severity of heartworms.