A Widespread and Fatal Parasite
Heartworm disease is caused by foot-long worms that live in the heart, lungs, and blood vessels of infected pets. It is transmitted entirely by mosquito bites. Historically a problem in the humid Southern US, the American Heartworm Society now reports cases in all 50 states.
1. Prevention is Pennies, Treatment is Thousands
A monthly preventative pill or topical treatment is incredibly affordable and safe. Treatment for an infected dog, however, involves months of strict confinement, painful arsenic-based injections deep into their back muscles, and potentially thousands of dollars. For cats, there is no approved treatment—an infection is often fatal.
2. The Annual Blood Test
Why do vets require a blood test every year before prescribing preventatives? If a dog already has adult heartworms, giving them a preventative pill can cause a massive die-off of micro-worms in their bloodstream, leading to anaphylactic shock. Always test first.