Heartworm is a potentially life-threatening disease caused by parasites and spread through mosquito bites that infect both cats and dogs. AHT Vets in Thornlands, QLD, offers extensive heartworm prevention services to pet owners. Preventive therapy for heartworm is much safer, less expensive and more straightforward to administer than treating established heartworm disease. Contact AHT Vets to discuss your pet’s tailored heartworm prevention program today.
How Pets Contract Heartworm
It’s not uncommon for owners to be unaware that heartworm is transmitted by mosquitoes; therefore, it is important to know how dogs get heartworm and how cats get heartworm. An infected mosquito that feeds on a pet may transmit microfilariae into the blood. Over time, these parasites can develop in the heart, lungs, and the vessels around these organs.
Mosquitoes are found throughout the state of Queensland, and because of this, it is essential that we carry out year-round pet heartworm prevention even for indoor pets.
Health Risks
Heartworms can cause serious damage to a pet’s heart and lungs. Symptoms may include coughing, breathing difficulty, exercise intolerance, reduced mobility, and a noticeable decline in overall health and wellbeing. Understand heartworm health risks and treatments to minimise the health effects of heartworm disease on your dog and cat and implement prevention.
Prevention Options
Preventing the onset of heartworm disease with medication involves several effective treatment options that will kill the micro larvae before they become adult heartworms that develop disease. The main forms of heartworm prevention for dogs include a monthly dose, or if this is not feasible, then a yearly injection administered by a veterinarian. It is crucial to stay on top of prevention for your dogs to make sure they receive the very best form of disease prevention.
Heartworm Prevention for Cats Vs. Dogs
Cats are also susceptible to heartworms, though they are not as commonly found as in dogs. The prevention methods used for heartworm prevention for cats vary because the way the disease affects the cat’s body is different. In cats, it can often be months after infection before they may show symptoms, so preventing heartworm in your cat is paramount, and Your veterinarian will advise the best preventative to use on your cat depending on the condition of your cat and their lifestyle.
Regular Testing
A crucial part of a heartworm prevention plan is also undertaking the appropriate testing of your dog’s heartworm status every year. This test will allow you and the veterinarian to confirm that the preventatives are working, and in the case of any early infection, we can take measures immediately to treat the animal.
Protecting Your Pet From Heartworm
AHT Vets have extensive experience in preventing heartworm in cats and dogs all over the Redlands Coast area. Your pet can remain active and healthy all year long with appropriate preventatives and testing.
Contact the AHT Vets team about what heartworm prevention program will be best for your cat or dog.