It’s April, and that doesn’t just mean spring–it also means it’s National Heartworm Awareness Month! Heartworms are parasites that can cause serious illness in our pets and, unfortunately, they’re more common than you’d think. That’s why it’s important to take the necessary steps to protect your pet from heartworms year-round.
Heartworm Explained
Heartworm is a type of worm that can be spread to cats, dogs, and other mammals by infected mosquitoes. Once inside the body, heartworms use the bloodstream to travel to the heart and lungs where they can cause life-threatening damage. This damage can result in painful coughing spells, difficulty breathing, and even death.
Heartworm Symptoms
The symptoms of heartworm in cats and dogs can vary depending on the severity of the infection, but they may include coughing, fatigue, poor appetite, weight loss, difficulty exercising, and even abnormal fluid build-up in the abdomen. If your pet shows any of these signs or if you think they might have been exposed to mosquito bites, it’s important to take them to the veterinarian right away.
Heartworm Prevention
The good news is, heartworm is preventable. Your veterinarian can provide you with preventative medications that will protect your pet from becoming infected. These medications are your pet’s first line of defense, so it’s essential to keep up with them. It’s also important to keep your pet on a regular testing schedule–they should get tested for heartworm at least once per year.
At the end of the day, prevention is key. Make sure you’re taking all the necessary steps to protect your pet from heartworm and contact your veterinarian as soon as possible if you think your pet may have been exposed. With a bit of prevention, your pet can live a long and heartworm-free life!