How to Protect Your Cat or Dog from Heartworm Disease

Heartworm can cause your cat or dog discomfort and significantly affect his or her well-being. At Sheehy Animal Hospital in Livonia, MI, we provide treatment that can relieve uncomfortable symptoms and improve your pet’s life. Before visiting us, learn more about how you can protect your pet from heartworm disease below:

Causes of Heartworm

Heartworm is spread through mosquito bites, and can take up to 7 months for the eggs to mature and start showing signs that it invaded your dog or cat's heart and lungs. In fact, heartworm can grow to become 12 inches long. What a horrifying idea! These parasites can in time riddle your dog or cat with their length. It is important to get your pet checked for heart worm before they reproduce. If untreated, Heartworm can live in your cat or dog for years.

Symptoms of Heartworm

Some of the symptoms of heartworm can be similar to other factors, so it's not something that is easily recognizable, though here are some of the symptoms:

•             A soft, dry cough

•             Inactivity or lethargy

•             Bulging chest and stomach

•             Excessive Snoring

•             Weight loss or anorexia

•             Rapid or difficult breathing

•             Seizures

•             Increased blood pressure

Treatment for Heartworm Disease

Prevention is important, but heartworm treatment is as well. Heartworm treatment can be far more expensive and debilitating than simple prevention. The good news is many of the same products that provide protection from the mosquitoes that carry heartworm disease and provide heartworm protection and will kill ticks, along with fleas and their eggs, roundworms and hookworms. Tick prevention is just as important as protecting your pets from heartworm. While mosquitoes are 'hit and run' insects, ticks and heartworms are passengers. When you visit us, our veterinarians will examine your pet and provide the necessary treatment that will help him or her feel better.

Contact us for an Appointment Today

At Sheehy Animal Hospital in Livonia, MI, we provide quality care to improve your pet’s quality of life. To learn more about our services or to schedule your appointment, call us at (248) 615-7670 today. When you need a veterinarian near me, we look forward to assisting you!