Heartworm disease is diagnosed in millions of pets annually. While most pet owners are familiar with heartworms, many are unaware of the severity of this parasitic disease. Heartworm disease is transmitted to pets through mosquito bites, establishes itself in the pet’s heart, lungs, and blood vessels, and becomes a major problem if left untreated. Southern Kern Veterinary Clinic wants every pet owner to understand the complexities and dangers of heartworm disease and how to safeguard their pets.

Understanding heartworm disease in pets

Heartworm disease is a potentially life-threatening illness caused by Dirofilaria immitis, a parasitic worm that primarily infects dogs, cats, and other mammals. Mosquitoes play a pivotal role in disease transmission. When a mosquito infected with microscopic heartworm larvae (i.e., microfilariae) bites a pet, the larvae enter the pet’s bloodstream, where they mature and inhabit the heart and pulmonary system. When a mosquito bites the infected pet, the heartworm cycle continues when that mosquito bites an uninfected animal, and so on. Over time, adult heartworms grow—up to a foot in length—and reproduce in the pet, heavily impacting heart function. 

Does my pet have heartworms?

Few heartworm disease signs are visible in the early stages, so owners seldom notice a problem. However, as the infection progresses, pets may display various signs, including:

  • Dry, persistent cough
  • Fatigue and weakness
  • Vomiting 
  • Enlarged chest cavity
  • Decreased appetite 
  • Weight loss
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Disinterest in exercise
  • Collapse

Left untreated, heartworm disease can lead to severe complications, including heart failure and organ damage, and can ultimately prove fatal. Seek prompt veterinary care if your pet shows any heartworm disease signs. 

Diagnosis and treatment of pet heartworm disease

Early diagnosis gives your pet the best chance of a full recovery. To diagnose heartworm disease, our Southern Kern Veterinary Clinic veterinarian will perform antigen testing to ascertain if heartworms are present. They may also require X-rays, ultrasound, and echocardiography to help visualize the quantity and size of adult heartworms in the heart and lungs. 

If your pet has heartworm disease, treatment is long, difficult, painful—and can be expensive—and is one reason prevention is critical. Our initial aim is to kill the heartworms with an injectable drug, but surgical extraction to remove adult worms may be necessary in more serious cases. The pet then must be severely exercise-restricted, preferably in a comfortable crate, because any exertion can further damage the heart and put the pet at risk of obstruction from the large amounts of dead heartworms. Any secondary conditions caused by heartworm disease will be managed with supportive care.

How can I protect my pet from heartworm disease?

As with any preventable disease, the key is establishing a preventive care regimen for your pet at a young age. Heartworm disease is easily preventable when you take the following measures:

  • Monthly heartworm preventives — Administering monthly prevention medications prescribed by our veterinary team is the most common and effective way to safeguard your furry friend against heartworm infection. These medications, which come in various forms, including monthly oral tablets and topical solutions, and six-monthly injections, work by killing heartworm larvae before they mature into adult worms. Once the worms mature, they are no longer resistant to the medications.
  • Annual heartworm testing — Annual heartworm testing is essential for early disease detection. During their routine annual wellness exam, we will check your pet for heartworms and other parasites and test them to ensure they are healthy enough for the preventives. Heartworm testing also is essential for early disease detection, and should your pet test positive, they will have a better prognosis.
  • At-home mosquito control — Minimizing mosquito exposure can significantly reduce the risk of heartworm transmission to pets. The following mosquito control measures will help:
    • Eliminate standing water around the home, including bird baths and water features.
    • Use mosquito repellents, but be cautious, as citronella products can be toxic to cats and dogs.
    • Cut down overgrown shrubs, grasses, and weeds to make your yard less hospitable to insects.
    • Avoid taking your pet outdoors during dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are more active.

In a perfect world, there would be no mosquitoes. However, you may not be able to eliminate every troubling parasite, but if you stay vigilant to disease signs, administer prevention medications regularly as recommended by your veterinarian, and proactively minimize mosquito exposure, you can protect your pet from the threat of heartworm disease.

Prevention against this life-threatening disease is paramount, so contact our Southern Kern Veterinary Clinic team for an appointment. We will test your pet and start them on a customized prevention protocol. After all, peak mosquito season—and the danger of heartworm disease—is here.