Heartworm Prevention for Dogs and Cats

Key Takeaways

• Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal condition that affects both dogs and cats, and it is spread through the bite of infected mosquitoes.
• Pets not on a monthly heartworm preventative are at risk, as heartworms live in the heart and lung arteries and can  severely impact overall health.
• Early stages of heartworm disease often show few or no obvious symptoms, allowing the infection to progress unnoticed for months.
• As the disease advances, pets may develop signs such as coughing, breathing difficulty, lethargy, appetite or weight changes, and other systemic health issues.
• The good news is heartworm disease prevention is safe, easy, and nearly 100% preventable with affordable, once-monthly prescription preventatives.

Your dogs and cats are important members of your family, thus, you take every step necessary to safeguard their health, such as ensuring they receive a monthly heartworm disease preventative... right?

If your furry friend isn't on a monthly heartworm disease preventative, he could be at serious (and potentially fatal) risk. Both dogs and cats are susceptible to heartworm disease. Transmitted by infected mosquitoes, each bite can introduce heartworm larvae into your pet's bloodstream, affecting an unprotected pet's very well-being. Once infected, parasitic worms develop and live in the arteries of the lungs and in the heart.

Symptoms of heartworm disease may not be recognized in the early stages, as the number of heartworms in an animal tends to accumulate gradually over a period of months.

Symptoms of heartworm disease can include:

• • Cough
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Lethargy
  • Reduced or excessive appetite
  • Reduced or excessive water intake
  • Weight gain or loss
  • Difficult or discolored waste
  • Abnormal discharge
  • Head shaking, scratching, licking or coat irregularities
  • Limping or stiffness
  • Lumps or swelling

Heartworm prevention is safe, easy and inexpensive, making the disease almost 100% preventable. With a variety of once-a-month oral remedies available, you can help protect your pet from the dangers of heartworm disease.

Whether for horse, livestock, or pet, Valley Vet Supply is your one-stop shop for trusted care. Explore more of our pet category at ValleyVet.com