Getting to the heart of prevention

Getting to the heart of prevention


Few diseases highlight the importance of preventive medicine as starkly as heartworm disease. Here’s why.

Large worms living in the heart, blood vessels and lungs cause lifelong disease, even in treated animals. And our unprotected dogs, cats and ferrets can’t hide from heartworms. Many wild animals are carriers that pass heartworms via mosquitoes, which can sneak inside and bite indoor-only pets. These mosquitoes have been found in all 50 states.

Treatment of heartworm disease is currently only available for dogs — and it’s expensive and often debilitating. On the other hand, prevention is affordable, safe and usually very effective.

So listen to the American Heartworm Society and “Think 12” by getting your pet tested annually and giving it preventative medicine monthly.

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