Hey Dallas Voice readers! Welcome back to another edition of my Woof column. Before we get into this month’s topic, I want to take a moment to say thank you to everyone who voted for Isla Veterinary Boutique Hospital in Addison, allowing us to win our fifth Dallas Voice Readers Voice Award for “Best Veterinarian.” I could not be more honored!
Winning every year since opening six years ago is an incredible milestone, and I owe it all to you. Your support over the past five years means so much to me, and I am beyond grateful, so thank you again!
Also, a huge congratulations to all the other winners as well. Let’s continue supporting our community and allies! Now, let’s talk about something important: April is National Heartworm Awareness Month. If you have a dog or cat, this is a must-read, because heartworm disease is a serious issue in Texas.
Heartworms are blood parasites that affect dogs and cats, among other species.
Heartworms spread through bites by a mosquito carrying the parasite. But heartworms cannot be passed directly from pet to pet, so direct contact with an infected animal is not a concern.
Some people think heartworms show up in stool, but that is a myth. These parasites live in the bloodstream and in the heart. Once a mosquito carrying heartworm larvae bites your pet, it takes about six months for the worms to reach the heart, where they can grow up to a foot long as adults.
Once heartworms mature, they reproduce and can cause serious health problems, with persistent coughing being one of the first signs. If left untreated, heartworm disease leads to permanent heart and lung damage and can even be fatal.
While it is more commonly diagnosed in dogs, cats can also be affected. A common misconception is that indoor pets are safe, but mosquitoes do not need an invitation to sneak into your home, y’all! Texas is one of the top 10 states for heartworm cases, according to the American Heartworm Society. It is so common that many shelter dogs are found to be heartworm-positive and must undergo treatment before being adopted.
A simple blood test at your veterinarian’s office can detect heartworm disease in about 10 minutes. If your pet tests positive, additional tests may be recommended for confirmation and to assess the severity. The good news is that heartworm disease is treatable in dogs. But it can be costly and time-consuming and can have significant risks, including serious side effects. Even after successful treatment, long-term damage to the heart and lungs can be seen.
While you might come across “slow kill” methods, these are not recommended. They take too long, are not guaranteed to work and allow the parasites more time to damage your kiddo’s body.
Unfortunately, there is no treatment for heartworm disease in cats which makes prevention even more important. Heartworm prevention is considered to be safe, effective and easy.
There are oral, topical and injectable options, each with its own pros and cons. Your veterinarian can help you choose the best one for your pet and lifestyle.
Since Texas has mosquitoes all year, prevention must be given year-round without skipping doses. Heartworm prevention requires a prescription from your veterinarian, along with an annual exam and heartworm test. I also recommend using a mosquito-repelling product to add an extra layer of protection.
I recommend talking to your veterinarian about heartworm prevention because it could save your pet’s life, and if you do not have a veterinarian, feel free to reach out to my office in Addison.
Thanks for reading, and until next time, big abrazos, mi gente!
Dr. Josh owns Isla Veterinary Boutique Hospital, 14380 Marsh Lane, Ste. 110 in Addison. Call him at 972-738-1111 or visit IslaVet.com