Prevention - Heartworm Control

Heartworm is a parasitic disease that is diagnosed annually throughout Southern Ontario. This parasite is carried and transmitted generally by infected mosquitoes. They obtain the parasite when taking a blood meal from an infected dog or wild canidae (coyote). As the name implies, the adult worm(s) lives in the chambers of the heart and/or the large blood vessels around the heart. If untreated this will usually result in heart failure. This disease can be prevented and this is much easier, and less expensive, than attempting to treat the condition. Prevention generally involves a monthly chewable tablet or topical drops and is very convenient. Most of these products combine prevention from other parasites as well including intestinal worms, fleas, ticks and mites. Heartworm is generally a condition of dogs but has occasionally been diagnosed in cats. Prior to starting prevention a blood sample will be taken from your dog to ensure it is heartworm free. This test can be added to by assessing for tick-borne diseases (e. g. lyme disease) if ticks are found in your area. Although the preventative products are very good, occasionally a problem may occur (dog vomits the pill, topical treatment applied incorrectly, delayed or missed altogether). Therefore, it is important to assess the dog’s blood periodically. This is generally done in the spring months.