Tiara Rado Animal Hospital
Tiara Rado Animal HospitalServicesNews and EventsResourcesContact UsAbout UsOnline Store

Preventing Heartworm in Pets

Christina Marrazza
March 18, 2011
KREX

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo - The warmer temperatures can bring an increased risk of heartworm to your pets, and local veterinarians are advising pet owners to take the proper precautions. When the weather heats up, otherwise dormant mosquito eggs can hatch and become active.

The bite of an infected mosquito can transmit heartworm to dogs and cats, causing them to experience weight loss, coughing, sneezing, and in extreme cases, death. However, veterinarians say the disease is very preventable with a monthly medication.

"The medications work backwards a month, and when you give the medication, it kills the immature heart worms," said Dr. Jill Becker, a veterinarian at the Tiara Rado Animal Hospital in Grand Junction.

By killing the immature heart worms, the medication prevents them from migrating to the heart and maturing.