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Heartworm disease is a significant health risk that all pet owners should be aware of. While heartworm disease is most often seen in dogs, other animals may be at risk as well. However, prevention is affordable and effective, so don’t hesitate to ask your veterinarian about your options for heartworm prevention. Keep reading to learn some facts about heartworm disease.
Which Animals Are at Risk?
Many pet owners believe that dogs are the only animal that can be infected, but these parasites can actually affect multiple species of mammals. Any mammal that a mosquito bites can be a suitable host, including cats, ferrets, wolves, and foxes. Dogs, cats, and ferrets are the most affected by heartworm disease.
How Heartworm Disease is Spread
Heartworms are transmitted from one infected animal to another through mosquito bites. Even if you keep your pet indoors, or you live in an area that does not frequently have mosquitos, it only takes one mosquito to infect several animals.
Signs of Heartworm Disease
Signs of heartworm disease can differ depending on the animal species. In dogs, symptoms include a persistent mild cough, fatigue, decreased appetite, and weight loss. In cats coughing, asthma-like symptoms, vomiting, decreased appetite, and weight loss may be present. Unfortunately, cats will sometimes show no signs of heartworm until it is too late, and they suddenly collapse.
Your Prevention Options
Prevention is available for cats, dogs, and ferrets and is recommended to be given year-round for the most protection. There are several options, which you should discuss with your veterinarian, who will need to write a prescription for these preventive medications. Whether you choose a chewable pill, a topical treatment, or 6- or 12-month injections, they are all very effective and much less expensive than treatment.
The Treatment Process
There is currently no treatment for heartworm disease for cats or ferrets, which is why prevention is so important. For dogs, treatment is an extensive and expensive process that takes several months. Treatment involves a lot of rest for your pet to allow their heart and lungs to rest, and monthly injections to kill the worms.
Contact your veterinarian today to discuss heartworm prevention options for your animals.