Heartworm disease is spread by the mosquito. A mosquito feeds on an infected dog, and then will deposit the larvae of the heartworm when it bites your dog. It takes approximately six months for the larvae to grow into the adult worm, which will move from the bloodstream and settle into the heart of your dog.
Signs of an infected dog include coughing, listlessness, and difficulty breathing. In order to prevent your dog from getting heartworm disease, it is necessary to test them and then begin a monthly preventative. Testing involves drawing a blood sample from your pet. This sample is sent to our laboratory to determine whether or not your dog has the larvae in his/her bloodstream. Upon negative results, your dog will be put on a once-a-month chewable preventative to be given throughout the mosquito season. If your dog’s test comes back positive, there are different options for treatment based on each individual case. Please call our office to schedule an appointment for a heartworm test for your dog.
