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Heartworm disease is a community issue: the more pets that have heartworms in any area, the higher the risk that mosquitos will carry it and infect another pet.
“We have a lot more dogs who are moving here from the South and bringing their infections with them,” says Dr Ashlyn Spring, a veterinarian at Goodheart Cherry Creek. They’re “infecting our mosquitos. We’re seeing more and more cases.”
Nature’s little vampire – the mosquito – is responsible for spreading heartworm disease from one animal to another. Prevention is key. Goodheart is passionate about protecting your pet (both cats and dogs!) with a monthly medicine.
And while we pay special attention to heartworms in spring and summer, we educate our clients to know heartworm disease is a risk all year long. In this blog, Dr Spring will answer your heartworm questions and offer tips to prevent this disease.
What is heartworm disease?
Heartworm disease is caused by foot-long worms called heartworms. These parasites live in the heart, lungs, and associated blood vessels of the carrier animal.
“It can cause lots of damage to the heart, cause difficulty breathing, and leave your pet with long-term effects on the heart and lungs,” says Dr Spring. “And can be life-threatening if not treated.”
According to the Heartworm Society of America, carriers include dogs, cats, ferrets, wolves, coyotes, foxes, and sea lions.
How does a dog get heartworm disease?
“Mosquitoes transfer this disease from one pet to another,” says Dr Spring.
When a mosquito bites an animal that is an active carrier of heartworm disease, it picks up heartworm larvae and transfers them to the next animal they bite.
Since coyotes and foxes live in urban and suburban areas, their presence increases the risk of transmission.
Heartworms are not transmitted from pet to pet.
Can Cats Get Heartworm Disease?
Yes. We often assume indoor pets don’t need heartworm prevention. Yet, mosquitoes can make it inside a house or building.
“Cats can get heartworms,” says Dr Spring. “My cat is always going outside. That’s why we always recommend – even if they’re not a fully indoor/outdoor cat — having cats on a preventive medication.”
Keep your cats safe with preventive meds.
Can humans catch heartworms from dogs?
No.
Do dogs really need heartworm medicine?
Yes. It’s a terrible sickness, and prevention is key.
One of our clients gives her dog a heartworm prevention pill on the 25th of each month. She sets a calendar alert so as not to forget. We love this idea!
Can a dog (or cat) recover from heartworm disease?
Yes, for dogs. Unfortunately, treatment options are limited for cats who have heartworm disease.
- Dogs get an injectable medication to kill off the adult heartworms.
- Cats have more limited options. “We support them as best we can and keep them comfortable,” says Dr Spring. That’s why it’s so important to keep cats on preventive meds. “There are no great treatment options, which is what makes prevention even more important.”
How do I ensure my pet doesn’t have heartworm disease?
Cat and dog owners should have their veterinarian screen for this annually with a simple and inexpensive blood test. Goodheart does this at all annual wellness exams.
What are the symptoms of heartworm disease?
Symptoms are often not obvious until the disease is very advanced. This is why testing is so important to detect early disease.
If your pet is positive for heartworms, you might see them coughing, vomiting, and difficulty breathing. With advanced disease, you might see cough, lower tolerance for exercise, appetite loss, and eventually heart failure and death.
Call us to set up your pet’s screening or to get your pet on a preventive medication. You can also book your appointment online. We’re here to ensure your pet is happily by your side for years to come.
4 Tips for Effective Heartworm Prevention:
- Start your cat and dog on preventive medicine at 8 weeks of age.
- Continue medicine year-round.
- We have medication options to suit your cats and dogs: oral, injectable, or topical.
- Remove standing water near your home (baby pools, flowerpots, etc). Mosquitoes multiply in standing water.
Heartworm is often associated with warmer, low-altitude regions: Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Alabama, and Arkansas. (source: AVMA). Yet heartworm cases are still diagnosed in higher-altitude areas like Denver. Especially since so many people from the south are moving here.
You can keep up with the prevalence of heartworm disease in the metro Denver-area here (Companion Animal Parasite Council). Heartworm disease was on a 7-year rise in 2020. It’s back under control thanks to the efforts of local veterinarians and our broader community.
