Heartworms

Heartworms are spaghetti-like worms that grow inside your dog’s heart and pulmonary artery causing damage to your dog’s heart and lungs. Heartworm disease is spread via mosquitoes and is very common in Michigan due to our extensive wetland areas.

In March of every year, all dogs over the age of six months should be tested for heartworm disease. The test is quick, simple and relatively inexpensive. Your veterinarian will need a small blood sample from your dog in order to run the test. After your dog has tested negative, you will need to purchase enough heartworm preventative medication to last at least until December.

Some people prefer to give their dogs’ heartworm preventative year-round. However, since we do not see mosquitoes January through March, there really isn’t any need to give preventative for those months. We recommend heartworm preventative May through December.

Heartworm preventative medication is given on the same day each month and is usually an oral chewable or tablet. This medication works in a backward fashion. So, the heartworm tablet you give in December kills any infection your pet may have acquired in November.

Treatment of heartworm disease is much tougher on the pet and the owner’s wallet than simple prevention. Heartworm treatment is dangerous for the pet and costs roughly $400-$600.

Please remember to have your pet tested every year for heartworms and don’t forget to give the preventative. Your pet will thank you for it!