Heartworm disease can cause severe damage to the heart and lungs of cats and dogs. Fortunately, preventative care and heartworm treatment are available at our Mediapolis office to keep your pet safe and healthy. At Mediapolis Veterinary Clinic, we can help you better understand heartworms and the importance of protecting your pets against this parasite.
What Are Heartworms and How Are They Transmitted?
Heartworms are a type of roundworm that make their home in the heart. Canines are the natural host for heartworms, but they can also infect cats and other mammals. Once inside the host, the larvae take roughly 6-7 months to mature into adult heartworms. Once they are mature, heartworms can live up to 5-6 years.
When a mosquito feeds on an infected animal, they pick up microfilaria, the larval form of heartworms. The microfilaria is then transmitted to the next animal the mosquito feeds on. Once they are inside their new host, the microfilaria will live in the muscle tissue of the animal they have infected until they reach adulthood. This is the time they migrate from the bloodstream and make their way to the heart. Â
Prevention Is Key!
Treatment can be both expensive and invasive in the later stages of heartworm disease. This is why we stress the importance of heartworm prevention. Preventing mosquitos from biting your pets may not be possible, but preventing microfilaria from growing into adulthood is. Several great products on the market can keep your pet safe from these heart-hurting parasites. At Mediapolis Veterinary Clinic, we offer various heartworm prevention options and are happy to discuss which would be best for your pet. Some products may be dangerous to certain breeds of dogs, so speaking to our veterinarians about the best options for your animal is crucial.
Contact Us for Heartworm Prevention and Treatment from Our Veterinarians in Mediapolis, IA
If you want to keep your pet safe, our professional staff is here to help. Call us today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Wendy Thomas or Dr. Seth Hartter and get your pet started on a heartworm prevention plan that is best for them!