why heartworm prevention for your dog or cat is important

We know we talk a lot about heartworm disease and prevention here at Banfield. And you probably hear about it a lot at your vet’s office, or see it on posters or the internet. There’s a reason for it — heartworm disease is bad news. It can harm your pet’s heart and lungs by damaging vessel walls and blocking blood flow, which can be life-threatening.

We know that sounds like a downer, but there are steps you can take to protect your pet, and they aren’t difficult. We’ll dig into how heartworm disease can be prevented, but let’s first talk about what the disease is and how your pet can contract it.  

What’s heartworm disease?  

Heartworm, or dirofilaria immitis, is a parasitic worm that transfers to a dog or cat through a mosquito bite. (Note: Heartworm disease is more common in dogs than cats.) Once the parasite is inside your pet’s body, it makes its way to the heart, lungs, and nearby blood vessels via the bloodstream, where it sets up camp and gets to work growing bigger and reproducing. Heartworms can get really big (up to 12 inches long!), and when they multiply it blocks blood flow to the heart and lungs. Due to this blockage and resulting inflammation, these essential organs will become damaged over time and possibly stop working properly. In other words, heartworms are nasty business.

Did you know? Heartworms are more common in hot and sticky climates, but have been reported in all 50 states. Also, they’re not just a summertime mosquito issue — heartworms can be passed to your pet any time of the year.  

How to prevent heartworm disease  

Thankfully, through years of research and practice, the veterinary industry has done a great job of developing ways to protect our pets from these gnarly parasites. The simplest and most important way you can help prevent your pet from contracting heartworms is by routine prevention. This treatment can come in the form of injectables, chewables, and topical medications. Your vet will discuss with you these various options and partner with you to pick what’s best for your pet. 

Did you know? Most heartworm prevention treatment also helps prevent infection from other damaging parasites such as fleas, ticks, and intestinal parasites.