Heartworm 101: What Every Pet Owner Needs to Know

If you had the choice between spending 10 minutes and $10 a month to protect your pet’s life or waiting until disaster strikes, which would you choose?

Most pet owners aren’t thinking about heartworms until they have to. And that’s the problem.

If you’ve ever heard the phrase, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” then you already understand the game. Heartworm disease is an avoidable catastrophe, yet over 1 million pets in the U.S. suffer from it every year. Why? Because people underestimate the threat.

So let’s break this down in a way that makes sense. No fluff. No fear tactics. Just facts and a simple system to keep your pet protected.

What the Heck Are Heartworms?

Imagine a parasite that’s 12 inches long invading your pet’s heart and lungs. Gross, right? Well, that’s exactly what heartworms do.

🦟 They come from mosquitoes—not dirty water, not dog-to-dog contact. A single infected mosquito bite deposits microscopic larvae into your pet’s bloodstream. Over 6 months, those larvae grow into full-blown spaghetti-like worms that wreak havoc on their heart, lungs, and arteries.

Now, here’s where it gets crazy:

• Dogs can host hundreds of worms at once.
• Even pets that live indoors and in cities are at risk for heartworm. 
• Cats can be infected with heartworms too!
• There are very few prevention medications for heartworm disease in cats - as they are not a natural host for heartworms and infections are extremely rare but often fatal.
• Treatment for dogs is extensive— injections, months of restricted activity, and a hefty vet bill.

So, if we know all this... why are so many pet owners skipping prevention?

The Prevention Hack: 10 Minutes & $10 a Month

This is where we simplify.

Here’s what you need to do:

1️⃣ Talk to your vet. You need a prescription for heartworm prevention, and it starts with a quick test.

2️⃣ Choose a method that works for you. There are monthly chewables, topical solutions, and even injections that last 6-12 months.

3️⃣ Set a reminder. Seriously. The biggest reason heartworm prevention fails? People forget to give it. Set a calendar alert, automate it with your pet’s meals, whatever works for you.

4️⃣ Be consistent. Skipping one dose can leave your pet vulnerable.

And the cost? Most heartworm preventatives are $10-$15 per month. Compare that to the $1,000+ cost of heartworm treatment, and the decision becomes a no-brainer.

The Takeaway: Be Proactive, Not Reactive

Heartworm disease isn’t a maybe—it’s a real, documented, widespread issue. But the solution is ridiculously easy. A few minutes of effort can save your pet’s life.

🐾 Your move: Don’t leave this to chance. Schedule your pet’s heartworm test and prevention plan today at Carrollton Animal Hospital. 📅 Book Here

Your future self (and your pet) will thank you.