04/07/2026
🦟 April is Heartworm Prevention Month, an important reminder for pet owners to stay proactive about protecting their pets from heartworm disease.
Heartworm is a serious and potentially fatal condition that can quietly progress before symptoms become obvious.
For dogs, early signs of heartworm disease may include mild coughing, a decrease in exercise tolerance, and unusual fatigue after normal play or walks. As the disease advances, more noticeable symptoms such as persistent cough, difficulty breathing, loss of appetite, and weight loss can appear. Dogs with heavy heartworm infections may also show signs of heart failure, such as a swollen abdomen from fluid accumulation.
In cats, heartworm disease can be even trickier to detect. Cats may display vague symptoms, including bouts of vomiting unrelated to eating, occasional coughing, or rapid breathing. Some cats develop sudden lethargy or seem less interested in their usual activities. Unlike dogs, even a small number of heartworms can cause severe reactions in cats, so subtle changes should never be ignored. Because the early signs of heartworm in dogs and cats are easy to miss, regular checkups and prompt attention to any changes in behavior are vital for pet owners.
Heartworm disease is caused by Dirofilaria immitis, a parasite spread by mosquitoes. 🦟
Once transmitted, heartworms migrate to the heart, lungs, and associated blood vessels, where they can grow to significant lengths and cause progressive damage to vital organs.
For cats we recommend a monthly dose of topical Revolution Plus and for dogs we recommend an oral dose of Simparica trio or topical dose of Revolution Plus.
These are not only great for heartworm prevention but also flea and tick prevention, ear mites, hookworms and roundworms. 🦟
