Mar 24, 2025
According to studies, more than one million pets in the United States are infested by heartworms. The parasites can be very harmful to our furry companions and can even be fatal. Unfortunately, many pet parents don't take these parasites seriously and fail to protect their four-legged friends from the infection.
To combat this serious issue and to raise awareness of heartworms among pet parents and lovers, April has been dedicated as National Heartworm Awareness Month. The month offers an ideal opportunity to spread the word and make everyone aware of the deadly infection caused by heartworms, its symptoms and prevention.
Heartworm disease is caused by a parasite, Dirofilariaimmitis. Usually dogs, cats and ferrets are vulnerable to the infection. It is transmitted by mosquitoes infected with heartworm larvae. The parasite lives in the heart and lungs of our pets causing heart failure, lung infection and other organ failures.
While having infested an animal's body, an adult female heartworm produces baby worms called microfilaria which circulate in the bloodstream of the animal. When a mosquito bites the animal, it picks up the microfilaria. The worms then develop into 'infective stage' larvae over a period of 10 to 14 days. When the mosquito bites an animal, the larvae are transmitted into the new host's body. The larvae usually take 6 months to mature into adult state.
Here are the common symptoms of heartworm infection in dogs and cats:
The easiest way to protect pets from the deadly heartworm disease is by administering heartworm preventive treatments. The treatments usually feature antiparasiticide(s) that eliminate the immature stages(s) of heartworms. Some treatments contain additional ingredients and offer protection against a variety of parasites including gastrointestinal worms, fleas, ticks, etc.
While choosing a heartworm preventive for your pet, you should check with your vet who will prescribe a suitable treatment after examining your pet. Below are some of the popular treatments that help in the prevention of heartworm disease:
Let's take a look at some simple ways to observe this significant month:
Do not wait for a sign or symptom to take your pet for a medical check-up. Let National Heartworm Awareness Month give you yet another reason to schedule a medical check-up for your furry companion. It will help the vet detect issues before they become serious.
Another ideal way to observe National Heartworm Awareness Month is by informing pet lovers and pet parents about the importance of heartworm prevention. This will help them protect their four-legged babies against the deadly disease.
During National Heartworm Awareness Month, many animal welfare organizations and enthusiasts across the country join hands to organize events to raise awareness about heartworm disease among uninformed individuals. It will be a noble gesture to be a part of one of such events and show your support.
National Heartworm Awareness Month may not be an occasion to celebrate but has a lot of importance to pet parents and pet lovers. We should make use of this opportunity to spread awareness about the deadly disease and help pet parents effectively protect their furry babies. A true observation of this month will be achieved once we are successful in eradicating the deadly disease from our pets lives.
Mar 07, 2025
