Heartworm Disease & Prevention In Scottsdale, Glendale, Peoria And Phoenix, AZ
Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal disease prevalent all over the United States. It’s caused by worms that live in the heart, lungs, and blood vessels of affected pets, and is spread by mosquitoes that bite an infected pet and then bite another pet.
Book OnlineHeartworms can affect household pets such as dogs, cats, and ferrets, but are also found in wild animals such as wolves, coyotes, and foxes. Because Phoenix’s warm climate supports mosquito activity for much of the year, year-round prevention is especially important for local pets.
Testing and Prevention
Testing for heartworm is easy — it requires only a small amount of blood drawn from your pet, takes about ten minutes, and can be done right in our office as part of our in-house laboratory testing. Testing should be done at least once a year, and prior to putting your pet on heartworm prevention. After testing, pets should be placed on monthly heartworm prevention and kept on it every month, 12 months a year, for the rest of their life to stay protected.
What Happens If Heartworm Goes Untreated?
If left unprotected, heartworm disease can cause long-lasting damage to the heart, lungs, and arteries, and can greatly reduce your pet’s length and quality of life. Pets can also develop respiratory disease, heart failure, and lung failure from untreated heartworm disease. Heartworm prevention is often discussed alongside broader parasite prevention during your pet’s wellness exam.
If you have any questions about our services in the Scottsdale, Glendale, Peoria, and Phoenix area, please contact us today at (602) 269-8969.
Helpful resources: www.capc.org and www.americanheartwormsociety.org.
Heartworm: Frequently Asked Questions
How is heartworm disease spread?
Heartworm is spread by mosquitoes that bite an infected animal and then bite another pet, transmitting the larvae.
How often should my pet be tested for heartworm?
We recommend annual heartworm testing, done before starting or continuing monthly prevention.
Can cats get heartworm disease too?
Yes, heartworm can affect cats and ferrets in addition to dogs, though presentation and treatment differ by species.
What happens if heartworm disease goes untreated?
Untreated heartworm disease can cause lasting damage to the heart, lungs, and arteries, potentially leading to respiratory or heart failure.
How long does a heartworm test take?
Our in-office heartworm test takes about ten minutes and requires only a small blood sample.
Does my pet need heartworm prevention year-round?
Yes, given our warm climate, year-round monthly prevention is strongly recommended for pets in the Phoenix area.
How do I start my pet on heartworm prevention?
Call Catalina Animal Hospital, LLC at (602) 269-8969 to schedule a heartworm test and begin a monthly prevention plan.
Protect Your Pet From Heartworm
Schedule a heartworm test today — call Catalina Animal Hospital, LLC at (602) 269-8969.
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