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Let’s be honest, some pet owners fall short on preventive care when it comes to their pets. Even for us humans, preventive care is usually low on the list of priorities. However, in some cases prevention is very important. Heartworm is a perfect example. Below you can read about some common misconceptions surrounding heartworm disease, so you can get the right preventive plan in place for your pet.
I live up north, so I don’t have to worry about heartworms for my pet.
Though it was once thought that heartworms were only a problem in warmer areas, such as the South, heartworm infections have been reported in all 50 states of the U.S. Mosquitoes are most common in warmer climates, but during warmer months they have made appearances in cooler areas. So, just because you do not see mosquitoes often, it does not mean they are not a risk for your pet.
Heartworm prevention is a pain and honestly, I would probably forget every month.
The most common, well-known prevention option for heartworms are the monthly chewable pills. However, there are other options available. Other options include a topical medicine absorbed through your pet’s skin, much like flea and tick preventatives, or an injection given at the veterinary clinic once or twice a year.
Heartworm testing is a waste of time and money.
Whether you are giving your pet prevention medication year-round as recommended, or are about to start a preventative, testing is advised. No prevention method is 100 percent effective, so it is best to have your pet tested annually. The chances of catching an infection early is increased with testing, which can result in better treatment outcomes for your animals.
Treatment is easy, so why bother with prevention.
Treatment is definitely not easy. Treatment requires months of injections, and a lot of rest for your dog. Something else to keep in mind is that treatment is expensive and time consuming for you as a pet owner because you have to keep a watchful eye to ensure your dog is resting. Additionally, there is no treatment available for other animals like cats and ferrets.
Call your veterinary clinic today to schedule your pet’s next appointment and do not forget to ask about heartworm prevention.