Your Heartworm FAQs

There are plenty of creepy crawlers out there that can cause our pets harm. Ticks, fleas, hookworms, roundworms, whipworms… the list goes on. And one of the most dangerous of all is heartworm. Heartworm is not an intestinal worm, but one that migrates through bodily tissues to the heart and lungs. Learn more below as your veterinarian San Jose Jacksonville, FL answers some of the most frequently asked questions regarding heartworm.

How do pets contract heartworms? 

Mosquitoes spread heartworms. Inside a mosquito, an immature form of the heartworm called the microfilariae develops into larvae. When an infected mosquito bites your pet, that larvae is transmitted into your animal friend. In your pet’s body, the larvae mature into adult worms, which begin migrating toward the heart and lungs. Ask your vet San Jose Jacksonville, FL for more information on this process.

Is heartworm a warm-weather-only problem? 

Mosquitoes definitely thrive during the warmer months, so heartworm is generally more common when it’s hot out. Still, heartworm is by no means a warm-weather-only problem. Mosquitoes can continue to be active well into the fall, and also come out in the spring. Talk to your veterinarians San Jose Jacksonville, FL to learn more about mosquito season in your area.

How can heartworm be prevented? 

The first step is to keep your pet on a high-quality, year-round heartworm preventative. This kind of medication kills off the larval form of the heartworm before they have a chance to mature into adult worms. Your vet clinic San Jose Jacksonville, FL can recommend a good preventative that works for your pet.

Some heartworm medications are given orally, and come in chewable or pill form. Others are gel products that get applied to your pet’s skin, usually behind the ears or on the neck area. And there are also injectable heartworm preventatives administered at your vet’s office. Ask your veterinary clinic San Jose Jacksonville, FL what type of preventative might suit your animal companion.

Because mosquitoes transmit heartworm, making your home environment less hospitable to these pests is another good precautionary measure. Trim back tall grasses and dense shrubbery, where pests like to hide. Remove sources of standing water in your yard—empty flower pots, old tires, bird feeders—as mosquitoes like to breed in still water. Ask your pet clinic San Jose Jacksonville, FL for further advice.

Is my cat at risk? 

Sometimes, we make the mistake of thinking that dogs are the only animal companions that are susceptible to heartworm. The truth is that cats, too, are at some risk. Cats do have a natural resistance to heartworm, but infestation is still possible. It’s most likely to occur in cats who have compromised immune systems. If this is the case with your cat, you may want to keep them on a preventative. Talk to your animal hospital San Jose Jacksonville, FL to be sure.

Remember: heartworm is only one of many pests that could harm your pet. Fortunately, a heartworm preventative tends to fight off common intestinal worms as well, like hookworms and roundworms. Add in a flea-and-tick medication, and your pet is fully protected. Consult your vet clinic San Jose Jacksonville, FL right away if your pet is in need of preventative medicines. We’re always here to help!