Heartworm Prevention and Treatment

Mediapolis Veterinary Clinic Offers Heartworm Prevention & Treatment

Heartworms can infect dogs, cats, and various other mammals. The disease can cause severe damage to the heart and lungs and even lead to death if left untreated. Fortunately, preventative medications are available to keep your pet from being affected by this serious disease. At Mediapolis Veterinary Clinic in Mediapolis, IA, we provide preventative medications and treatment options for heartworm disease.

heartworm

Understanding the Danger of Heartworm Disease

Heartworm disease is not a contagion that spreads from animal to animal. A dog or cat can only become infected through a bite from an infected mosquito. The mosquito will feed on an infected animal and then go to the next animal, injecting the microscopic worm larvae into its body. Your pet may not show any symptoms in the early stage of the disease. However, as time passes, your pet may experience trouble breathing, reluctance to exercise, loss of weight, coughing, and fatigue. If not properly treated, the worms can grow and reproduce in the heart and lungs, causing death.

Heartworm Treatment

Our veterinarians test for heartworm disease through blood tests. If a dog tests positive, the vet will advise inactivity and provide medications to reduce inflammation and eliminate the worms. In some cases, surgery to remove the worms from vital organs is necessary. However, because the disease functions differently in felines, the veterinarian will offer supportive therapy until the heartworms die on their own.

Heartworm Prevention Is the Best Way to Protect Your Pet

You can prevent your pet from getting heartworm disease with prevention medications available at our veterinary office. Medications for dogs are available in an oral form that is given monthly. An injectable form is also available that provides protection for up to 6 months. Preventative medication for cats is also available in oral form. We will be happy to discuss the best heartworm disease prevention solution for your pet’s needs.

Make Mediapolis Veterinary Clinic Your Veterinarian in Mediapolis, IA

Our veterinarians and professional staff at Mediapolis Veterinary Clinic are dedicated to providing the highest quality care pets need for quality health care. Whether you have a cat, dog, or farm animal, Dr. Wendy Thomas and Dr. Seth Hartter will work with you to ensure your animal is properly protected. We offer various vet services, including parasite prevention, vaccinations, wellness visits, dental care, diagnostics, surgery, emergency care, and more. Contact Mediapolis Veterinary Clinic today at (319) 394-3108 for an appointment to have your pet tested for heartworms or to learn more about effective heartworm prevention medications we have to offer.