Is heartworm prevention really necessary?
Yes. Although heartworm infestation rates are highest in the south and southeastern U.S., our area of the Midwest has a significant and increasing volume of cases. Can cats get heartworms? Yes. About 30 species can develop heartworms, including cats as well as dogs. However, the incidence among cats is lower. How are heartworms transmitted? Mosquitoes are the carriers. Its a complex cycle that begins when a mosquito takes a blood meal from an infected dog or wild canines such as coyotes, foxes, or wolves. The larvae mature inside the mosquito for 10 to 14 days. Then when the mosquito bites your dog or cat, the larvae enter your pets bloodstream. How does heartworm disease endanger my pets health? Canine heartworms grow to an adult size of four to 10 inches, migrate to your pets heart and lungs, and produce stage 1 larvae. Infestations range from just a few to as many as 250 worms living in the dogs body. Left untreated, heartworm disease can damage the lungs, heart, liver and kidneys a
