What is Heartworm Disease?

• A nearly 100% preventable parasite infection of the heart and lungs transferred by mosquitoes        
• A disease that spawns worms that live and grow for years in the heart and lungs causing severe damage
• A disease that is rampant in our community and affects thousands of animals each year

Heartworm disease is more commonly found in dogs, though cats can be affected.

• Be infected by just 1 mosquito bite?
• Appear symptomless?
• Suffer heart failure, organ damage and death?

The Central Florida area is a hotbed of mosquitos, and it takes only one bite for your pet to be infected. Multiple bites may increase the severity of the disease. Don't let your pet go unprotected!

Keeping your pet safe from heartworm disease is easy and inexpensive. However, treatment of an infected animal, though often completely effective in ending the disease, can be expensive (low-cost options are also available in our community). 

It's simple:

• Get your pet heartworm tested! (If you adopt from us, your dog is already tested)
• Talk to your veterinarian about reducing your pet's risks
• Ensure your pet is on heartworm preventative – a simple, effective, inexpensive once a month dose is just a few dollars a month and can save your pet's life

Heartworm preventative is most often prescribed in a tasty chewable that dogs love. They cost less than $5/month! Topicals (placed on the skin) are also easy to administer though they tend to be more expensive as they are part of total parasite prevention prescriptions (such as Advantage Multi) that include flea, tick, mite and worm prevention.

Talk to your veterinarian about the best solution for your pet!