April is Heartworm Awareness Month, a critical time to spotlight a serious but often silent threat to our beloved pets. Heartworm disease, though preventable, continues to affect thousands of pets every year—causing lasting damage to the heart, lungs, and overall health. At Eastwaye Veterinary Clinic, we’re committed to helping pet parents in East Goldsboro stay informed and proactive in protecting their furry family members.
What Is Heartworm Disease?
Heartworm disease is caused by Dirofilaria immitis, a parasitic worm spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Once inside your pet, the larvae grow into adult worms, primarily settling in the heart, lungs, and surrounding blood vessels. Dogs are natural hosts for heartworms, while cats can also be affected, though somewhat differently.
How Heartworms Affect Your Pet
In dogs, the worms can multiply and grow up to a foot long, leading to severe lung disease, heart failure, and damage to other organs. Left untreated, the disease is often fatal.
Cats experience a different and often more complicated form of the disease. Even immature worms can cause serious respiratory issues and inflammation known as Heartworm-Associated Respiratory Disease (HARD). Since there is no approved treatment for heartworms in cats, prevention is absolutely essential.
Early Warning Signs to Watch For: Symptoms of Heartworm Disease
Heartworm disease often goes undetected in its early stages. However, as it progresses, some symptoms may appear:
In Dogs:
Persistent coughing
Fatigue after moderate activity
Weight loss
Decreased appetite
Swollen belly due to fluid buildup
In Cats:
Coughing or asthma-like symptoms
Vomiting
Weight loss
Lack of appetite
Sudden collapse or even sudden death in severe cases
If your pet is showing any of these signs, it’s important to schedule a veterinary appointment right away.
Treatment and Prevention of Heartworm in Pets
Treating heartworm disease is costly, lengthy, and risky—especially for dogs, who require a series of injections and strict rest during recovery. As mentioned earlier, there is no treatment available for heartworms in cats.
That’s why prevention is key. Monthly preventatives (oral or topical) and yearly testing can help keep your pet protected. These medications are safe, effective, and significantly more affordable than treatment.
Protect Your Pet with Help from Eastwaye Veterinary Clinic
At Eastwaye Veterinary Clinic, we believe that education and prevention are the first lines of defense against heartworm disease. During Heartworm Awareness Month—and all year long—we encourage pet parents to stay on top of preventative care, routine testing, and regular wellness visits.
Call us today to schedule a heartworm test or talk to us about prevention options. Your furry companion is counting on you—and we’re here to help every step of the way.
Book your appointment with Eastwaye Veterinary Clinic in East Goldsboro today!
