04/17/2026
April is National Heartworm Awareness Month! 🐾❤️
As the weather warms up and mosquitoes begin to buzz, it’s the perfect time to talk about one of the most serious—but preventable—threats to our pets: Heartworm Disease.
What is Heartworm Disease? Heartworm is a life-threatening parasitic infection caused by foot-long worms (Dirofilaria immitis) that live in the heart, lungs, and associated blood vessels of affected pets.
How it spreads: It only takes one bite from an infected mosquito to transmit heartworm larvae to your pet.
Who is at risk? While dogs are the natural hosts, cats and ferrets are also highly susceptible. Even indoor pets aren't safe, as mosquitoes frequently find their way inside homes.
The 2026 American Heartworm Society (AHS) Incidence Map was recently released, and the findings are a wake-up call for pet owners everywhere:Texas currently leads the nation in heartworm incidence.
Emerging Hotspots: We are seeing significant increases in "non-traditional" areas like Southern California, Southern Maine, and the Mountain West (Washington, Idaho, and Wyoming).Urbanization & Climate:
Changing weather patterns and the movement of rescue animals have allowed heartworm to spread into regions that were once considered "safe."
In the early stages, many pets show no symptoms at all. As the disease progresses, you may notice:
Dogs: A persistent cough, fatigue after mild exercise, decreased appetite, and weight loss.
Cats: Often more subtle. Symptoms include "HARD" (Heartworm Associated Respiratory Disease), which looks like asthma, or periodic vomiting. Sadly, in some cats, the first sign is sudden collapse.
The Golden Rule: "Think 12"- The American Heartworm Society recommends a simple two-step approach:
-Test every 12 months: Even if your pet is on prevention, annual testing ensures the medication is working and catches infections early.
-Prevent 12 months a year: Mosquitoes can be active during "false springs" or inside climate-controlled environments. Year-round prevention is the only way to ensure 100% protection.
Protect your best friend! Is your pet up to date on their testing and prevention?
Call us today or visit www.mimobilevet.com to schedule an appointment or refill your prescription.
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