Heartworm is a scary diagnosis for any pet, yet there are still pet parents who decline heartworm prevention and are not concerned with the disease. These pet parents are typically unaware of how heartworm affects the Cleveland area and we would like to take the time to address the geographical range as well as the life cycle of the potentially fatal disease.
Life Cycle:
Dogs are prime host for the heartworm parasite. Heartworms are able to reproduce easily in your dog’s heart and bloodstream and the number of them will only increase without treatment. Cats, on the other hand, are not the best hosts for these parasites. That being said, just one or two heartworms in your feline friend can be detrimental to their health, causing significant, irreversible respiratory problems, if not death. There is also no guaranteed test or treatment available for cats with heartworm disease.
Geography:
This map provides the most comprehensive data available from the American Heartworm Society. We hope that it puts into perspective how the vast majority of the United States has pets that are affected by heartworm disease. Note that most of Ohio had 6-25 pets who had tested positive for heartworm disease, while northeast Ohio averaged 26-50 positive heartworm tests per year. The average number may be even higher since not all animal clinics reported into the study and not all cats with heartworm test positive for the disease.
And remember, even if only the whole clinic only has one positive heartworm test that year, it could be your pet.
Clearly, the key is heartworm prevention, which is much less expensive and more effective than available [or lack of available] treatments. Treatment of heartworms in dogs can range anywhere between $1000-$3000 and there is no available treatment for cats. Preventing this fatal disease is as easy as a once-a-month pill or topical medication.
With all of the heartworm prevention products available, it can be difficult to choose the right one for you and your pet. Here are just a few of our favorite heartworm prevention products.
For Dogs:
A once-a-month topical medication for dogs which kills adult fleas, prevents heartworm, and kills roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms. Because Advantage Multi is a topical product, we recommend putting it on before just before bed. It is put in a line along the spine but should not be touched until the product is dried. This means that children and other pets should be kept away from any dog whose Advantage Multi has recently be applied.
For Cats:
Heartgard is a once-a-month chewable tablet used in cats and kittens used to prevent heartworm and hookworm infections. Although some cats do like the flavor, Heartgard can be crumbled into a small amount of the cat’s normal food if your cat is one of those picky eaters. This product does not control flea infestations.
This once-a-month topical product protects against heartworm, roundworms, hookworms, fleas, and even ear mites when used as directed. This product is applied directly to the back of the neck, on the base of the skull. This way, your kitty can’t groom the product off before it is absorbed through the skin.
For Both Dogs And Cats:
This monthly oral pet medication can be used in dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens to prevent heartworm disease. Interceptor also controls hookworms and roundworms in both cats and dogs. Interceptor gives dogs an extra benefit by also working against whipworms in canines. This product does not control flea infestations.
Again, these are just a few of the heartworm products available for your pet. The combination flea and heartworm products [Advantage Multi, Revolution] typically cost $15-20/monthly dose depending on the size of your pet, while the heartworm only products [Heartgard, Interceptor] range from $7-10/monthly dose. In addition, most of these companies offer rebates or discounts if you buy their product in bulk doses of 6 or 12 to drive the cost per dose down even farther. Year-round monthly heartworm prevention is vital to fully protecting your pet from this terrible disease.
All heartworm prevention products are prescription only, so consult with your veterinarian and be sure to test your pet annually for heartworm disease.
Emerald Animal Hospital offers all of these products as well as diagnostic testing and decades of experience to determine the best product for you. During the month of March, get $6 OFF six doses of heartworm prevention or $12 OFF twelve doses of heartworm prevention. Set up an appointment with one of our veterinarians to find out which one is right for you and your pet!