The Wormy Truth About Heartworm
I will be honest from the start...when I first got my very own dog and the vet suggested that it was time to think about what I would like to use for flea and heartworm prevention, I looked at him confused. What on Earth was a heartworm? We had, had dogs my entire life and I knew that they received their flea medicine but I had never heard of the term "heartworm" before. Needless to say, I also made a quick call to my parents after my vet explained the term to me. (No worries! All of my pups growing up got their monthly heartworm preventative also..it seems as though I was the only who didn't know what heartworms were.) .....Then I started in rescue and it became inevitably clear that I was not the only person that didn't know what a heartworm was.
As a matter of fact, it seemed as though many of the dogs that came into rescue tested heartworm positive. I was shocked, and I am sure that many readers will feel the same. Truth of the matter is, people in this area (and many areas) simply do not know about these types of things or their importance because they've never really been given the information. Here I was, a BIG dog lover, rescuing my first pup, and then realizing that I really didn't have a clue as to what I was actually doing...and that's totally okay! Luckily, there are others out there that do know (thankfully I am one of those now) and WANT to help you understand these things too!
What is heartworm?
This seems like a great starting point. First of all, what is heartworm? Glad you asked!!
**Pets Avenue Vet Clinic - Singapore**
Heartworm is a disease that is carried and transmitted by mosquitoes. (EEK!) They bite your pet and BAM there it is. Heartworm can cause a lot of health issues and can even be fatal for your pet. Here is a nice diagram showing how the heartworm life cycle is carried out in your dog(s)...
Sounds pretty awful huh? Well it definitely is...and our area, Kentucky, is known for dogs that are tested positive for heartworm. EVEN if your dog is an INSIDE dog...it still NEEDS to be protected from heartworm! Here's more information:
I hope you caught that---heartworms can be PREVENTED!
But before we get to that..I want to share something else also....
Yep, that's right..though cats are not as prone to getting heartworm as dogs, they can still get it!
Double EEK!
Let's Review
So...lets see what we have established so far...
1. heartworms are a disease that are carried and spread by mosquitos
2. Both dogs and cats can get heartworm
3. Kentucky animals are definitely at risk for HW
4. Heartworm can make your pet very sick and even be fatal
5. There are ways to prevent your pet from getting HW
What can I do to prevent this??
Okay..so lets move on to the good part..prevention, prevention, prevention! It is likely that you already give your cat/dog a pill or topical solution each month to help prevent fleas. Well, preventing heartworm is also that easy!
You pretty much have 2 options!
#1 - buy a heartworm pill each month to go along with your already established flea prevention.
#2 - buy a HW/flea combo so that you're only giving your pet one medication monthly.
Here is an EXAMPLE of different medications that are out there. (WPEL is NOT suggesting, promoting, or advertising for these companies)
(Again, WPEL is not suggesting, promotoing, or advertising for these companies)
How do I start my animals on HW prevention?
In order to start your dog/cat on heartworm prevention you MUST speak with your veterinarian. The first thing your vet will do is perform a heartworm test on your animal. This is done with a blood sample and really isn't expensive at all. He/she will be able to give you the results of the test within minutes.
What if my animal is heartworm positive?
In most instances heartworm is treatable..depending on the stage (how long your pet has been carrying it). Heartworm treatment can be costly depending on the severity. Your vet will be able to go over all treatment options with you. Just because the test comes back positive doesn't mean it is all over. There are many, many animals who get treatment by simply taking a pill every month for a specific amount of time and then retesting is done. Don't give up on your pet...this is a treatable disease!
Sadly, many people are either unaware of the importance of heartworm prevention or are unmotivated to make sure their animals receive the prevention they need. It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY as a pet owner to ensure that your animal receives the care that they need...this prevention is very, very necessary and isn't expensive. Don't let your pet become a statistic!
Sadly, many people are either unaware of the importance of heartworm prevention or are unmotivated to make sure their animals receive the prevention they need. It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY as a pet owner to ensure that your animal receives the care that they need...this prevention is very, very necessary and isn't expensive. Don't let your pet become a statistic!
To learn more about heartworm, prevention, statistics and more please visit the following website:
If you have any questions about Heartworms, preventatives, treatments, or about WPEL please contact us at woofpacked@gmail.com or on our WPEL Facebook page! We look forward to hearing from you!
Fur & Belly Rubs,
WPEL
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