With the weather warming up and the days becoming longer, there’s a good chance you and your pets will be spending more time outside. Should that be the case, it’s important to take the time to learn about the potential risks that you should keep in mind when letting your four-legged friend enjoy the outdoors. One of the most important topics to consider is heartworm disease.
What is heartworm disease and how can my pet contract it?
This disease is transmitted when an infected mosquito bites your pet. The bite then infects your pet with immature heartworms. If untreated, these will mature into adult heartworms – which will then live within the large blood vessels of your pet’s heart and lungs.
What symptoms should I be on the look for in my pet?
If you pet has contracted heartworm disease, they may experience coughing, fatigue, weight loss, respiratory distress, collapse, and even death. In many cases, the effects of this disease may lay dormant, so it’s highly recommended you test your pet on an annual basis.
My pet spends the majority of its time indoors. Are they still at risk?
While your pet may appear safe from the comforts of the indoors, there is always a chance they can still contract the disease. Even if you let your pet out for just a few minutes, a mosquito bite can infect them in just a few seconds. Mosquitoes can also enter the home through an open door or window so that risk should be kept front of mind as well.
How do I treat my pet if they are infected?
If your dog requires treatment, there are a several methods available. This includes medication, hospitalization, supportive care, exercise restriction and even surgery. However, they may still have ongoing complications after treatment has been completed. Unfortunately, there is no safe treatment available for cats at the moment.
What should I do to prevent my pet from contracting heartworm disease?
Consult with you veterinarian to get a better understanding of how you can prevent the disease. Whether you have a dog or cat, there are numerous breeds of pets you can own, each having different lifestyles and varying degrees of sensitivity to medications. Your vet will be the best resource and answer any questions you may have and will help you make an informed decision on the most effective methods and prescriptions for your pet.
As an extra step, it is also a smart choice to consider purchasing pet insurance – which you can do with CAA and Pets Plus Us. With savings of 12%1 for CAA Members, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing you are taking the steps to protect your pet as best as you can. Learn more and get a quote here.
The original version of this article was written by Dr. Sperry, DVM, Veterinary Advisor on behalf of Pets Plus Us and has been adapted for CAA Niagara by Devon Gribble.
1The information herein is summarized. All Pet Insurance plans have limitations and exclusions. Specific products, features, coverage limits, rates, and discounts may vary by province, eligibility, and are subject to change. For all terms and conditions visit: https://www.petsplusus.com/service-claims/brochures-guides
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