Heartworm is a serious and potentially fatal disease caused by parasitic worms living in the heart of your pet. Heartworm disease is contracted from a mosquito bite. Once injected, the immature worm migrates to the heart and can grow up to 30cm in length.
Prevention requires the administration of a monthly topical product or a monthly pill. Annual testing is advised since 20% of the positive dogs in Ontario last year were on preventive medication. Lack of owner compliance or the dog refusing or vomiting the medication is the cause of preventive failure. By testing your dog regularly you increase the chance of detecting the disease early before serious damage is done to your dog's heart.
Annual heartworm/wellness testing is now available and evaluates your dog for heartworm exposure as well as their internal organ health. Cats are less suseptible to heartworm and do not require annual heartworm testing but need regular wellness testing.
Call for your appointment today. The latest to start preventive medication is June 1.