How to Protect Your Cat or Dog from Heartworm Disease

Having a cat or dog can be a wonderful, however, it is important to keep him or her healthy. At Animal Medical Center of Midwest City in Midwest City, OK, we provide various treatments for many diseases, such as heartworm, to alleviate any discomfort and improve your pet’s health. Before visiting us, learn how you can protect your pet from heartworm disease below:

What Are Heartworms and What Makes Them So Dangerous?

Heartworms are parasites that grow up to a foot long and are typically spread through mosquito bites. Along with that, they live in the lungs, heart, and blood vessels of various animals, such as coyotes, wolves, cats, and dogs. Your pet can have hundreds of heartworms inside its body, which can severely damage its organs. The disease can also eventually lead to heart failure, lung disease, and artery problems.

Preventing Heartworms in Your Pet

There are some steps you can take to protect your cat or dog from heartworms. The first is to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home by eliminating standing water from your yard, using repellant, and utilizing screens for doors and windows. In addition to this step, we recommending visiting our veterinarians for preventive medication and regular testing. We can test your pet for heartworms annually and provide prompt treatment if any parasites are present. It’s also important to provide your cat or dog medication all year, not just during the warm months.

How Do I Know If My Pet Already Has Heartworms?

If your cat or dog has heartworm disease, he or she may exhibit various symptoms, such as a mild consistent cough, lack of energy, reduced appetite, or a swollen belly. The best way to determine if your pet has heartworms is to visit our animal hospital for an examination. It is important to keep in mind that this disease can be fatal for pets. Due to this, we recommend visiting us as soon as possible if your cat or dog has not been tested in the last year.

Contact us for an Appointment Today

Whether you’re concerned your pet is suffering from heartworms or you want to prevent this disease, our team at Animal Medical Center of Midwest City in Midwest City, OK, can help. To learn more about the treatments we provide or to schedule your appointment, contact us at (405) 732-0043 today. When you need a veterinarian near me, we look forward to assisting you!