April is Heartworm Awareness Month, and to ensure all of our doggies are protected against infection, we want to share some facts about this disease:

• The threat of heartworm disease is prevalent year-round and on the rise in all U.S. regions

• Infections originate with mosquito bites, and while we associate mosquitos with warmer weather, they can also be active in cooler temperatures, so infections are possible during any season

• There are few, if any, early signs of heartworm disease

• Annual heartworm screenings are critical for detecting potential infections and are necessary before starting or renewing preventive prescriptions.

What is heartworm disease?

Heartworm disease is caused by parasitic worms transmitted by mosquitoes carrying larvae that can enter a pet's bloodstream and migrate to the heart and blood vessels in the lungs.

Infection in dogs can result in severe lung disease, heart failure, other organ damage, and even death. And the treatment of heartworm disease is a costly, lengthy, and unfortunately painful, process.

Good News!

This potentially deadly disease is preventable by administering preventives year-round along with initial and annual heartworm screenings.

Bonus—many heartworm prevention medications also work as a dewormer for other parasites that cause diseases that can be transferred from pets to humans, especially kids.

Visit the American Heartworm Society for more information about heartworm disease: https://www.heartwormsociety.org/pet-owner-resources/heartworm-basics

Let heartworm be one less thing you must worry about regarding your pet.

Order your pet's heartworm protection refill or book an appointment for a screening with your dog's veterinarian to get them started on heartworm.