National Heartworm Awareness Month: Protecting Your Pet from a Silent Threat
Every April, veterinarians across the country observe National Heartworm Awareness Month to shed light on a serious but entirely preventable disease that affects both dogs and cats. Heartworm disease is a potentially fatal condition caused by parasitic worms that live in the heart, lungs, and surrounding blood vessels of infected pets. It can lead to severe lung disease, heart failure, organ damage, and even death if left untreated. At Express Vets Holly Springs, we believe that education and prevention are key to keeping your pets healthy and heartworm-free.
Heartworm disease is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. When a mosquito bites an animal already infected with heartworms, it picks up microscopic baby worms, called microfilariae, hich then mature into infective larvae. When that same mosquito bites another animal, the larvae are transferred through the skin and begin their migration toward the heart. Within six months, they mature into adult heartworms that can grow up to a foot long.
What makes heartworm disease so dangerous is that by the time symptoms appear, significant damage may already have occurred. Dogs with heartworms may exhibit coughing, fatigue, decreased appetite, and weight loss. In more advanced cases, dogs can develop heart failure or show signs of a swollen belly due to excess fluid. Cats, though less commonly infected, can suffer from a condition known as Heartworm Associated Respiratory Disease (HARD), which can cause coughing, asthma-like symptoms, vomiting, or sudden collapse.
One of the most important things to understand is that heartworm disease is far easier and less expensive to prevent than it is to treat. Monthly preventatives—whether given orally, topically, or via injection—are highly effective and safe. These medications kill the larvae before they can mature into adult worms and cause lasting harm. However, they must be administered consistently to remain effective.
Treatment for heartworm disease, particularly in dogs, is lengthy, expensive, and not without risk. It typically involves a series of injections, medications to kill adult worms and larvae, and strict exercise restrictions for several months. For cats, there is no approved treatment for heartworms once infected, making prevention not just the best option—but the only option.
At Express Vets Holly Springs, we recommend annual heartworm testing even for pets on regular preventatives. Testing ensures that your pet remains protected and that any infection is caught early, improving the chances for successful treatment. A quick blood test can provide peace of mind and is a simple part of your pet’s wellness visit.
Because heartworm disease is found in all 50 states, no region is completely safe, and year-round prevention is strongly advised. Warmer climates like those in the southern United States tend to have higher infection rates due to more active mosquito populations, but the risk exists everywhere mosquitoes are found—which includes even indoor pets.
National Heartworm Awareness Month serves as a reminder of the critical role prevention plays in your pet’s long-term health. With a little effort and consistent veterinary care, you can protect your dog or cat from this silent but serious threat.
Don’t wait until it’s too late—schedule your pet’s heartworm test and discuss the best prevention plan with the caring team at Express Vets Holly Springs today. Your pet’s heart will thank you.
