Understanding Why Year-Round, Monthly Prevention is the Only Way to Protect Your Dog from this Devastating Disease
As a responsible dog owner, you protect your companion from many obvious dangers. But one of the most serious threats to their health is silent, invisible, and transmitted by a single mosquito bite: heartworm disease. This devastating and potentially fatal disease is a serious risk to dogs right here in Southern California.
At San Marcos Veterinary Clinic, we are committed to protecting our patients from this preventable tragedy. The good news is that preventing heartworm disease is both simple and safe. Educating yourself on the dangers of the disease and the importance of consistent prevention is the first step in giving your dog the protection they deserve.
Understanding the Need for Dog Heartworm Prevention
Heartworm disease is caused by a parasitic worm, Dirofilaria immitis. The life cycle begins when a mosquito bites an infected animal (like a dog, coyote, or fox) and ingests microscopic baby worms called microfilaria. These baby worms mature into infective larvae inside the mosquito over a period of 10 to 14 days.
When that infected mosquito then bites your dog, it deposits the infective larvae onto their skin, and the larvae enter the new host through the bite wound. Over the next six months, these larvae migrate through the body, eventually settling in the heart, lungs, and surrounding blood vessels, where they mature into adult worms that can grow up to a foot long.
The Dangers of Skipping Dog Heartworm Prevention
Unlike intestinal worms, heartworms live in the most critical organs of the body. An infection can cause severe and lasting damage to the heart, lungs, and arteries, leading to a diminished quality of life even after the parasites are gone.
As the worms grow and multiply, they clog the heart and major blood vessels, which can lead to:
- Severe lung disease and respiratory distress
- Damage to blood vessels
- Heart failure
- Damage to other organs like the liver and kidneys
The disease progresses over time and can be fatal if left untreated.
Symptoms of Dog Heartworm Disease
In the early stages of the disease, many dogs show few or no symptoms. As the infection progresses and the number of worms increases, common signs include:
- A mild, persistent cough
- Reluctance to exercise or tiring easily
- Decreased appetite and weight loss
- A swollen belly due to fluid accumulation
- In severe cases, a life-threatening blockage called “caval syndrome,” which leads to sudden collapse and dark, bloody urine.
Our Recommended Dog Heartworm Prevention Plan
The good news is that heartworm disease in dogs is treatable; however, the treatment is a long, expensive, and difficult process for your dog. When you compare the difficult treatment to the simplicity of prevention, the choice is clear.
At our clinic, we make protecting your dog easy with safe and effective monthly preventives. Our recommendations include trusted options like Revolution®, a topical “spot-on” treatment that not only provides complete heartworm prevention but also protects against fleas. A simple monthly medication is the most compassionate way to protect your dog from this devastating disease.
Dog Heartworm Protection: Your Questions Answered
Protecting your dog is our shared priority. Here are our answers to some of the most common questions about this serious disease:
How does monthly dog heartworm prevention work?
Monthly heartworm preventives work by killing the immature heartworm larvae that were transmitted by a mosquito bite within the last 30 days. This eliminates the parasites before they have the chance to develop into adult worms and cause disease. This is why it is absolutely critical that the preventive is given on time, every single month, without any gaps.
Why is year-round prevention necessary?
Here in Southern California, our mild climate means that mosquitoes can be active year-round. There is no “off-season” for the risk of transmission. Furthermore, the heartworm life cycle is long. A bite that occurs in the fall could result in a full-blown infection the following spring. Year-round prevention is the only way to ensure your dog is consistently protected.
Why does my dog need an annual test if they’re on prevention?
The American Heartworm Society recommends annual testing for several important reasons. No preventive is 100% effective, and giving a monthly preventive to a dog that already has an active infection can cause a severe reaction. A missed or delayed dose can also leave a window of opportunity for infection. The annual test is a simple blood test that ensures your dog is still heartworm-free and that the prevention plan is working perfectly.
Do indoor dogs need heartworm prevention?
Yes. All it takes is one bite from one infected mosquito. Mosquitoes frequently get inside our homes through open doors and windows. Because the risk is never zero and the disease is so severe, every single dog should be on a year-round preventive.
What is the treatment for heartworm disease like?
The treatment for heartworm disease is a multi-step process managed by a veterinarian. It involves a series of injections with a powerful drug to kill the adult worms, along with other medications like steroids and antibiotics. The most critical part of treatment is that the dog’s exercise must be strictly restricted for several months to prevent complications as the worms die off. It is a long, expensive, and stressful process for your dog, which is why we emphasize that prevention is always the best option.
I just adopted a dog. When should we start heartworm prevention?
You should start them on a preventive as soon as possible. Before starting, we will need to perform a heartworm test to ensure they do not have an existing infection. If the test is negative, we can get them started on a monthly preventive right away.
Protecting your dog from heartworm disease is one of the most important and loving things you can do for their health. To get your dog tested or to start a year-round preventive plan, please call the dedicated team at San Marcos Veterinary Clinic at (760) 744-5400 or connect with us through our contact form today. Don’t wait to give your dog the defense they need.
