Courtesy of the Niagara Frontier Veterinary Society 

Pet ownership requires taking steps to ensure the companion animal’s health and happiness. Ensuring that steps are taken to help a pet avoid illness is a priority for pet parents. This includes being aware of diseases that could affect their animals. 

A biting health problem

The Niagara Frontier Veterinary Society (NFVS) says heartworm disease remains one of the most significant and growing medical threats to pets. While heartworm disease was once confined to parts of the southern United States, it now poses a threat to animals in many other regions as well. That’s due in part to the widespread territory of the insect responsible for spreading the heartworm parasite: The mosquito. 

Although the southeastern U.S. and the Mississippi River Valley remain the areas with the highest concentrations of heartworm disease, the Companion Animal Parasite Council says veterinarians are now diagnosing heartworm at higher rates in northern states. According to the Albert Animal Health Source, heartworm disease is present across Canada, particularly in warmer regions with high mosquito activity. 

What is heartworm disease?

Heartworm disease is a serious, potentially fatal blood-borne illness spread by mosquitoes that largely affects dogs. Cats, ferrets, wolves, foxes, and other mammals can also get the disease. Heartworms can live in the heart, lungs, and associated blood vessels. Heartworm disease can cause lasting organ damage.  

The American Heartworm Society says heartworms are foot-long worms that start as microscopic larvae, called microfilaria, that circulate in the bloodstream. When a mosquito takes a blood meal, it can spread these worms to other animals. It takes about six months for the larvae to develop into adult heartworms. Once mature, heartworms can live five to seven years in dogs and two to three years in cats. 

Keeping pets safe

The cost comparison between keeping a pet safe from heartworms and treating an active infection is significant. Most monthly preventives cost between $6 and $18 per month, according to PetMD. For a dog that tests positive, a full heartworm treatment protocol can typically cost around $1,500. Despite this, only about one-third of all dogs in the U.S. are on a consistent preventive regimen, says the AHS. 

Veterinary professionals recommend annual bloodwork to detect both adult worms and larvae and to ensure no gaps in treatment. Furthermore, heartworm preventives should be used each and every month, as mosquito activity is no longer seasonal in many areas. 

Keeping pets safe requires taking steps to prevent heartworm infections. This is achieved through annual testing and monthly preventives.  

The Niagara Frontier Veterinary Society consists of 75 small animal hospitals and 200 practitioners in Erie and Niagara counties. Learn more at www.nfveterinarysociety.org.