How to Prevent Heartworm

Heartworm infection in your pets can prove deadly. When your cat or dog contracts heartworm, the parasites multiply and infest the animal's heart. If left untreated, the parasites spread to the veins and arteries of the lungs. To protect your pet, you should learn ways to prevent heartworm from occurring.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Give your pet a monthly dose of heartworm prevention medication. Your vet can provide you with a prescription dose of monthly heartworm medication. The medication comes in the form of a yummy pet treat. Brands of heartworm prevention medications include Heartguard and Proheart.

2. Apply a topical solution. Researchers have now developed a topical solution to protect against heartworm infection as well as flea and tick bites. The name brand currently available is Revolution.

3. Keep your pet indoors when mosquito populations are high. Most pets contract heartworm when bit by an infected mosquito. During the summer months when mosquitoes come out, you may want to keep your pet indoors more often.

4. Get an annual test for heartworm. Your vet can screen your cat or dog annually for heartworm infection. This simple blood test only takes a few minutes to complete.

Tips & Warnings

• You can buy your heartworm prevention medications directly from your vet or order a bulk supply online. Save money on your heartworm medications by ordering through a supplier like 1-800-Pet Meds.
• You should give your pet heartworm medications all year round. Some owners mistakenly believe their pets only need the medication in the summer months, when the risk of mosquito bites has increased.