Many health threats carried by tiny pests, such as mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks, can cause serious harm to your pet. One of the most notorious vector-borne diseases in pets is heartworm disease, a potentially fatal condition caused by parasitic worms that invade the heart, lungs, and blood vessels of dogs and, less commonly, cats. Prevention is crucial in combating this disease, and every pet owner should take the following key steps to protect their four-legged friends.

1: Understand how heartworms are transmitted

To effectively prevent heartworm disease in pets, pet owners must understand how this insidious parasite is transmitted. The disease begins with a bite from an infected mosquito. A mosquito that feeds on an infected animal can ingest microscopic heartworm larvae (i.e., microfilariae) along with the blood. These larvae develop inside the mosquito for about two weeks, eventually reaching an infective stage.

When the infected mosquito bites another animal, such as your cat or dog, the infective larvae are injected into their bloodstream. Once inside the host’s body, the larvae migrate to the heart and adjacent blood vessels, where they mature into adult worms over several months. The adult worms can grow up to a foot in length and reproduce, leading to the potential for severe heart and lung damage.

Understanding this transmission process underscores the importance of comprehensive prevention measures. By targeting both the mosquito vector and the development of heartworm larvae in your pet, you can effectively break the transmission cycle and reduce the risk of infection.

2: Consult with your Sonoran Sky Pet Hospital veterinarian

Before implementing any preventive measures, it’s essential that you consult with your Sonoran Sky Pet Hospital veterinarian. We can provide valuable insight into the prevalence of heartworm disease in Pinal County and recommend the most effective preventive measures for your pet, based on their age, health status, and lifestyle. Regular veterinary care ensures that your pet receives the necessary preventive care to stay healthy and happy.

3: Administer regular heartworm prevention

Heartworm disease is not only a seasonal concern—the disease poses a year-round threat to pets in many regions, including Mesa. In colder climates, where mosquitoes are less active during the winter months, the risk of heartworm transmission still is present. Indoor pets are not immune either, as mosquitoes can find their way into homes and transmit the disease.

Given the continuous risk, consistently administering monthly preventive medication throughout the year is essential. 

4: Practice environmental control measures

You can further protect your pet from heartworm disease by reducing the mosquito population around your home. Take the following measures:

  • Eliminate standing water — Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, so eliminate potential breeding sites in your yard. Regularly empty and clean water bowls, bird baths, gutters, and any other outdoor containers that collect water. 
  • Maintain your yard — Keep your yard well-maintained by regularly mowing the lawn and trimming vegetation. Mosquitoes often rest in tall grass and bushes, so maintaining a tidy yard can help reduce the areas they inhabit.

5: Implement mosquito avoidance measures

Pairing environmental control measures with mosquito avoidance tactics can reduce your pet’s heartworm disease risk. Measures include:

  • Limiting outdoor activities — During peak mosquito activity times, such as dawn and dusk, limit your pet’s outdoor activities to minimize their mosquito exposure. Schedule walks and outdoor playtime when mosquito activity is lower, such as mid-morning or late afternoon.
  • Using mosquito repellents — Apply pet-safe mosquito repellents to your pets before they go outdoors, especially during peak mosquito season. Look for repellents specifically formulated for cats and dogs, and follow instructions carefully to ensure safe and effective application. 
  • Install screens — Install screens on doors and windows, ensuring the screens are intact and free of holes that mosquitoes could squeeze through. 

6: Test for heartworm disease annually

Annual heartworm testing is crucial for early detection and prompt treatment of any potential infections. Our team can perform a simple blood test to check for the presence of heartworm antigens, which will provide you with peace of mind and ensure that any infections are detected and treated promptly.

Preventing heartworm disease in cats and dogs requires a proactive approach that involves regular preventive medication, mosquito control measures, and annual testing. Give our Sonoran Sky Pet Hospital team a call to discuss the best heartworm preventive for your pet.