Parasite Prevention- Heartworm
Heartworm disease is a horrible but preventable disease. It is seen in virtually all of the United States and many parts of Canada. Heartworm is a parasite that lives in the heart and its surrounding blood vessels. The adult heartworms produce offspring called microfilariae, which circulate in the pet’s blood. When a mosquito "bites" an infected pet, it sucks out blood containing the microfilariae. After about two weeks in the mosquito, the microfilariae become infective larvae. This step is necessary for the transmission of heartworm. When the mosquito bites another pet, the infective larvae are transmitted. Symptoms can include difficulty breathing, coughing, weight loss, being easily tired, or listlessness. In many cases pets do not show outward signs until advanced stages of the disease. An annual blood test is recommended to screen for heartworm. If found early this disease can be treated, although treatment can be costly.

Prevention of this potentially life threatening disease is easy. After having your pet tested to ensure that they are not infected, a medication is given once a month. Detroit Dover Animal Hospital recommends two different medications for the prevention of Heartworm. One medication is a liquid called Revolution (selamectin) that is applied topically to the back of your pet’s shoulder blades. The medicine absorbs into the pets blood stream then travels though out his or her body. The other medication is a flavored tablet called Interceptor (milbemycin oxime). Both medications are safe and effective. We recommend that you give your pet heartworm preventative medication throughout the year.


Click on the categories below for more information about parasite prevention:

Intestinal Parasites

Heartworm

External Parasites

Portions copied with permission from the American Animal Hospital Association.
Serving the Western Cleveland communities and Northeast Ohio including: Avon, Avon Lake, Bay Village, Fairview Park, Lakewood, Lorain, North Ridgeville, North Olmsted, Olmsted Falls, Rocky River, Westlake, Western Cleveland, and Northeast OH.