Heartworm preventative is on the must-have list for many pet owners. Commonly found in tropical and subtropical climates, along with the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts and Ohio and Mississippi river basins, no dog is totally safe from this parasitic infestation. Prove how much you know about the disease, and take this quiz.
Just like those pesky fleas and ticks, heartworms can be easily prevented with monthly medicine. We've already learned all about the disease and the need to keep pets protected, but I realize that not everyone chooses to do so.
In climates where the incidence of the parasite is higher (especially wet and humid ones), doctors usually recommend yearly tests to make sure the doggie is still healthy, even when on preventive meds. While living in Manhattan, North never took these pills, but his SF vet recommended it if we'd be taking trips to woody areas like Marin, Tahoe, or down the Peninsula, so I've got him on a monthly dosage now . . . 'cause we love a good road trip!
There are cases of heartworms in every state so it's always better to be safe than sorry as the low cost pays for peace of mind against this potentially life-threatening issue.
As if you didn't think you had enough bugs to worry about with fleas and ticks, there's still mosquitoes, too. Not only are they super annoying, but bites from these bugs can lead to heartworm in dogs and cats – your pets should be on a year-round heartworm preventative no matter where you live. While symptoms can be hard to detect, they include sudden respiratory problems like difficulty breathing and a persistent cough that requires immediate attention. What about flies? Find out when you read more
