Preventing Heartworm Disease

Preventing Heartworm Disease

June 13, 2012 in CK Vets, Blenheim, Chatham, Ridgetown, Wallaceburg

It’s sad that Heartworm Disease is on the rise Canada. It’s so easy to prevent!

We know we can prevent illness in our children with simple inoculations; it’s expected and has proven to be critical to a child’s long-term health. When you know what’s right for the ones you love, you do it. So why don’t more people protect their dogs against the threat of heartworms? They are ugly parasitic worms that live in the heart and arteries of dogs during the mosquito season.

“Wait and see if it happens” is not advisable. After your dog is afflicted with heartworms, treatment is available but it is extremely expensive and can be risky. Prevention is the key. A simple pill or application of cream to the dog’s skin during mosquito season, from June to mid-October, is all it takes.

What is the worst that can happen? Without getting too gruesome in details, let’s just say that heartworms can cause irreversible damage to internal organs. Heart failure is the final threat.

But death or severe illness from heartworm disease is not necessary! Bring your beloved pet into the vet for a test. A simple blood sample will tell if adult parasites are in your dog’s bloodstream. If your dog is not infected and depending on the risk of infection, a preventive program should be started.

Think your pet is safe because it never goes outside? All it takes is one mosquito and the damage is done.

Call us today to book an examination for your dog. The test and prevention is simple. The alternative could be heartbreaking.