April is National Heartworm Awareness Month​

Heartworm disease is a serious, but totally preventable condition that is spread by mosquitoes. Heartworms live in the heart, liver, and lungs of infected pets, causing lung disease, heart failure, and organ damage. The disease has been diagnosed in all 50 states and in temperate regions throughout the world. April is Heartworm Awareness Month, and at Clinton Hill Animal Hospital, our goal is to make pet owners aware of this serious disease and how it can be prevented and treated if detected early.

What is Heartworm Disease?

Heartworm disease affects wild and domestic mammals, including dogs, cats, and ferrets. Adult female heartworms live in an infected host, usually a dog, fox, coyote, or wolf. The adult produces microscopic baby worms that circulate through the animal’s bloodstream. When a mosquito bites the infected animal, it picks up the baby heartworms and transmits them to new hosts. Once the heartworms make their way inside the new host animal, it takes about six months for the larvae to mature into adult heartworms. They can live for many years inside both dogs and cats, but they are far more common in dogs.

Signs and Symptoms of Heartworm Disease

The symptoms of heartworm disease vary, depending on a number of factors. Cats may experience coughing, lack of appetite, vomiting, or fainting spells, but they are just as likely to experience no symptoms at all until sudden death. Dogs will show very few symptoms during the early stages, but as heartworm disease progresses, they will often be reluctant to exercise, fatigue easily, and be prone to coughing fits. As the disease advances, dogs will experience heart or organ failure, often leading to death.

Call Your Brooklyn Veterinarian Today!

Although heartworms have been found in all 50 states, transmission is totally preventable. Your Brooklyn veterinarian recommends testing for heartworms every 12 months, and a heartworm preventative that is administered 12 months a year. Heartworm preventative medications will eliminate the larval stages of the heartworm, stopping its life cycle. You can prevent this serious disease by having your pet tested and protected.

Contact Clinton Hill Animal Clinic at  718-623-3999 to make an appointment today!