Dog Heartworm Prevention Guide

Heartworm disease is fatal if untreated. Prevention is easy and affordable.

What Is Heartworm?

A parasitic worm that lives in heart and lungs. Transmitted by mosquitoes.

Lifecycle

1. Mosquito bites infected dog
2. Mosquito transmits larvae
3. Larvae mature over 6 months
4. Worms live in heart and pulmonary arteries
5. Causes heart failure and death

Signs of Infection

Early stages: Often no symptoms Advanced:

• Persistent cough
• Fatigue after mild activity
• Weight loss
• Swollen belly (fluid buildup)
• Difficulty breathing

Prevention

Monthly Medications

• Chewables (Heartgard, Interceptor)
• Topicals (Revolution, Advantage Multi)
• Injectables (ProHeart - every 6 months)

Year-Round Prevention Required

Mosquitoes survive in temperatures above 50°F. Year-round protection is standard recommendation.

Testing Requirements

Dogs need annual heartworm test before starting or continuing prevention. Testing costs $35-75.

Even dogs on prevention should be tested annually. No medication is 100% effective.

Treatment

If infected, treatment is expensive and dangerous:

Cost: $1,000-3,000+ Process: Series of injections over months Rest: Strict exercise restriction during treatment Risks: Heart damage, lung complications, death (rare)

Why Prevention Matters