Heartworm Protection: How to Ward Off the Silent Killer
At College Hills Veterinary Hospital, we understand that heartworm disease is one of the most serious and often invisible threats to your pet’s well-being. Fortunately, with the proper care and consistency, you can provide year-round heartworm protection and help your dog or cat enjoy a long, healthy life. Let us take a closer look at how this disease works and what you can do to prevent it.
Understanding Heartworm Disease
Heartworm disease is a potentially fatal condition caused by parasitic worms in an infected animal’s heart, lungs, and blood vessels. It is transmitted through mosquito bites, meaning both dogs and cats—indoors or outdoors are at risk.
When an infected mosquito bites a pet, it transfers microscopic heartworm larvae into the bloodstream. These larvae eventually grow into adult worms. They can reach up to 12 inches long. These worms can clog the heart and lungs, impairing blood flow and leading to organ damage or heart failure.
Since symptoms often do not appear in the early stages, many pet owners do not realize there is a problem until the disease is advanced. Early diagnosis and consistent heartworm protection are essential to your pet’s health.
Recognizing the Signs
We refer to heartworm disease as the “silent killer” because it progresses quietly, and symptoms may be subtle. Subtle or not, these are the symptoms to watch for:
In Dogs:
- Persistent coughing
- Tiredness or reluctance to exercise
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- In advanced case,: heart failure or a swollen abdomen due to fluid buildup
In Cats:
- Coughing or wheezing
- Vomiting
- Weight loss or appetite changes
- In severe cases: collapse, seizures, or sudden death
Because these symptoms can mimic other health issues, annual testing is a key part in your pet’s heartworm protection plan.
Diagnosis and Treatment
At College Hills Veterinary Hospital, we use several tools to detect heartworm disease in its early stages:
- Blood Tests – to identify heartworm proteins or microfilariae
- X-rays – to evaluate the damage to the lungs and heart
- Ultrasound – to detect the presence of adult worms in the heart and arteries
For Dogs:
Treatment typically involves multiple steps, including stabilizing the dog’s condition, administering medications to eliminate the worms, and restricting physical activity throughout recovery.
For Cats:
There is no approved medication to eliminate heartworms in cats, so treatment focuses on managing symptoms. Treatment may include anti-inflammatory drugs, oxygen therapy, and careful monitoring. That is why prevention and heartworm protection is essential for cats.
Prevention: The Best Defense
Preventing heartworm is safer, easier, and far more affordable than treating the disease. With a consistent prevention plan, you can ensure your pet has complete heartworm protection all year long.
Here is what we recommend:
- Monthly Preventatives: These include chewable tablets, topical solutions, or injections prescribed by your veterinarian. They kill heartworm larvae before they can grow into adults.
- Annual Testing: Even pets on preventatives need yearly blood tests to confirm that they are heartworm-free.
- Mosquito Control: Remove standing water around your home, use pet-safe mosquito repellents, and keep pets indoors during high mosquito activity hours (dawn and dusk).
Year-round heartworm protection is not only smart—it is essential.
Why a Prescription is Necessary
Heartworm prevention medications require a prescription for a good reason. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA):
- A veterinarian must confirm that your pet is heartworm-free before prescribing a preventative. Giving preventatives to an infected animal can cause severe reactions.
- Your veterinarian will ensure the medication is safe and appropriate for your pet’s age, size, and health status.
Missing even one dose can allow heartworm larvae to mature. That is why consistent heartworm protection is so important.
Your Partners in Heartworm Protection
We proudly partner with you at College Hills Veterinary Hospital to keep your pet healthy. From annual check-ups and customized medication plans to mosquito prevention strategies, we are here to provide complete heartworm protection for your beloved pet.
Do not wait for symptoms to appear. Schedule your pet’s heartworm test today, or talk with us about the right preventative options for your dog or cat. Together, we can give your pet the long, happy, heartworm-free life they deserve.
College Hills Veterinary Hospital
209 Dominik Drive
College Station, TX 77840
