Pet parents in Kansas City and throughout Missouri are right to be concerned when it comes to heartworm disease. Parasitic worms called Dirofilaria immitis spread by infected mosquitoes cause heartworm disease that affects both cats and dogs. This disease is serious and potentially deadly as it may result in heart failure and organ damage. As cases of heartworm disease increase, veterinarians at Eagle Animal Hospital & Pet Resort in Kansas City recommend taking the following steps to prevent this life-threatening disease.
Perform Annual Heartworm Test for Dogs
Clinical symptoms of the disease develop slowly. At the early stages, your dog may show no symptoms at all. Dogs, in particular, should be tested for heartworm disease every 12 months since their bodies are natural hosts for heartworm. Heartworm tests only require a small blood sample and you should receive the results from your animal clinic quickly.
Monthly Heartworm Pills or Medication
Veterinarians recommend putting dogs on heartworm preventatives that are taken every month. Preventatives given every month usually come in the form of a chewable treat or a topical medication. While medications against heartworm disease are highly effective, they do not have 100% efficacy against the disease, which means your dog should still be tested for heartworm disease annually.
Annual Heartworm Preventative Injection
Instead of monthly preventatives, you can also ask your veterinary care center about getting annual shots to prevent heartworm. Along with heartworm disease, injections may also protect your dog from other types of infections caused by roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms. Unfortunately, injections may cause side effects in some dogs like vomiting and diarrhea. Your veterinarian can let you know if your dog is a good candidate for injections.
Reduce Mosquito Exposure
Since mosquitoes spread heartworm disease, reducing your pet’s exposure to these insects may help. Mosquitoes mostly feed at dawn or dusk, so avoid taking walks at these times. It may also be helpful to keep your pets indoors overnight. You may also apply mosquito repellants if your vet approves.
Heartworm disease is a national threat. While medication exists, the disease can threaten the health, happiness, and life of your dog or cat, and needs to be taken seriously. Giving your pet the care they need requires regular visits and checkups from your veterinary clinic and giving preventative medication as needed. Eagle Animal Hospital & Pet Resort in Kansas City has three accessible locations – Riverside, Tiffany Springs, and Liberty to assist with questions regarding heartworm disease and helping your pets achieve optimal health.