11d • Veterinary Medicine
Heartworm — Let’s Talk About It
Heartworm is one of those topics that can sound big and overwhelming — but when we break it down, it really comes down to mosquitoes, prevention, and protecting our pets’ hearts and lungs.
Heartworm is a parasite that spreads through — you guessed it — mosquito bites. Not from other dogs, not from sharing bowls, not from that random dog at the park. Just mosquitoes doing what mosquitoes do.
If a dog becomes infected, the worms can grow in the heart and lungs, which is why vets take it seriously.
Here’s the encouraging part though:
👉 Heartworm is much easier to prevent than it is to treat — and prevention is one of the kindest things we do for our pets.
🌎 Who Can Get Heartworm?
Some animals are much more at risk than others.
🐕 Highest Risk — Dogs & Their Wild Cousins
Dogs
Coyotes
Foxes
Wolves
Heartworm grows very well in these species. That’s why prevention in dogs matters so much — it protects your dog and helps reduce risk in the environment.
🐱 What About Cats?
Cats can get heartworm, but it behaves differently than in dogs. They usually don’t develop large worm loads — but even a few worms can inflame the lungs, which can still cause illness. And yes… indoor cats can meet mosquitoes (they’re tiny house ninjas with wings). In many areas, vets recommend prevention for cats too.
🐹 Other Animals Sometimes Affected
Occasional infections have been found in:
Ferrets
Raccoons
Otters
Mink / weasels
Sea lions
Bears (rare)
🚫 Who Does Not Get Heartworm
Birds
Reptiles
Humans
🧪 How Heartworm Testing Works (Even If Your Dog Is on Prevention)
Here’s a question a lot of pet parents ask:
“If my dog is on prevention, why do we still need the yearly heartworm test?”
Totally fair question — and I love when people ask it. Prevention is very effective… but life happens. 🐾
Doses get:
spit out
thrown up
given late
not fully absorbed
or accidentally missed
…and sometimes we don’t realize it.
That’s why most dogs get a small blood test once a year. It’s quick, routine, and helps us make sure prevention is doing its job, catchs infections early before damage occurs and keeps treatment safer if we ever need it.
Think of testing as the safety net underneath the safety net — not because you did anything wrong, but because your dog’s health is worth the double-check.
If a test ever does come back positive, it doesn’t mean you failed. It means we found it — and now we can help. Earlier is always better.
🛡️ Why Year-Round Prevention Matters:
Heartworm prevention isn’t just a “summer thing.”
Here’s why consistency matters:
🦟 Mosquitoes don’t follow the weather forecast
Warm winters, climate shifts, and indoor mosquitoes extend the season.
⏪ Prevention works backward in time
Most preventives stop larvae from last month’s bites. Gaps = risk.
📆 Stopping and restarting increases missed doses
Seasonal dosing = human error (and we’re all human).
✈️ Travel changes risk
A week in a warmer area? Still exposure.
💸 Prevention is easier — and much safer — than treatment
Treatment involves months of rest, strict activity limits, and expense.
Year-round dosing is less about perfection and more about kind consistency. Your pet’s body loves routine — and prevention is part of that routine.
🦟 Big Takeaway
Mosquitoes spread heartworm.
Dogs are the most at risk.
Year-round prevention + yearly testing = peace of mind and healthier pets.
💬 Community Question
Is your dog on prevention?
How do you remember prevention doses at your house? Apps?
Sticky notes?
Treat-time reminders?
Monthly routines?
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Heartworm — Let’s Talk About It
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