At Oxford Animal Hospital in The Villages, Dr. Girard will diagnose your pet and suggest preventative medicine to keep your furry friend healthy. Heartworm prevention, diagnosis, and treatment can be used to prevent injuries like severe lung issues, organ damage, and even death in your pet. Let’s take a closer look at heartworm prevention.
What Is Heartworm Disease?
Heartworm is a potentially deadly disease caused by foot-long worms that result in heart failure, lung disease, and other organ damage. It mostly affects animals like dogs, cats, and ferrets.
Signs of Heartworms
It’s quite challenging to just look at your dog and observe signs of heartworm disease. However, if your dog has a persistent cough and lacks energy during exercises, your dog may be suffering from heartworms. Other signs include:
- Fainting or collapsing
- Asthmatic symptoms
- Breathing difficulty
- Consistent weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
Heartworm Prevention Tips
Preventative heartworm medication is cost-effective and it makes a real difference in your pet’s life. Dr. Girard will perform an examination and suggest a variety of products to choose from to ensure your furry friend stays protected from these parasites. We also have a few tips that can help reduce your pet’s risk of heartworm:
Regular Visits to the Veterinarian’s Office
Bring your pet to us regularly. We recommend every pet visits a veterinarian at least once annually for check-ups. Routine heartworm tests help keep your pet healthy and safe.
Repel Mosquitoes at Home
Mosquitoes are key to spreading heartworm to pets. Be sure to drain any stagnant water around your house. Spray a pet-friendly insecticide around your house, too. Burning a citronella candle also helps keep out the insects that spread this dangerous disease.
Contact Our Veterinarian at Oxford Animal Hospital in The Villages, FL
At Oxford Animal Hospital in The Villages, Dr. Girard is here to help your pets stay protected from heartworm and a variety of other issues that can injure your pet. Preventing heartworm is significantly easier than treating an existing heartworm infection. By using heartworm prevention and taking a few steps around your home, you can help your cat or dog stay safe. If you suspect your pet is suffering from heartworms or it has been a while since your pet’s last check-up, call our team today at (352) 461-1346 or reach us through our website by using our online contact form.