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April is National Heartworm Awareness Month, which means it’s a good time to reflect on your pet’s health care and prevention. After all, this disease is known to be fatal and incredibly painful when pets become infected. However, many people know very little about the disease and how to prevent it. Thankfully, the expert veterinarian from Kapolei Pet Hospital, based in Kapolei, HI, can help. Below, they answer some common questions about heartworms.

Veterinarian’s Answers to FAQs About Heartworm

Is Your Dog at Risk?

veterinarianDogs all around the country are at risk of infection. However, the risk increases if your pet lives in an area that commonly experiences warm, moist weather, such as Hawaii. And, if another animal in the neighborhood is heartworm-positive, this risk only continues to increase.

How Is Heartworm Transmitted?

The parasite is transmitted through mosquito bites. When these insects bite an heartworm-positive animal, they become infected with the parasitic larvae. The mosquitoes can then transmit the larvae to your dog with one simple bite, and when the larvae grow into the adult stage, your dog has the disease.

How Can You Know if Your Dog Is Infected?

Symptoms of the disease include a persistent cough, weight loss, fatigue, and loss of appetite. However, these symptoms won’t appear until the disease has progressed into later stages. In fact, it can take about six months from the time of the mosquito bite before a heartworm test would even show a positive diagnosis.

How Can You Prevent It?

Due to the dangerous nature of this disease, prevention is crucial for your pet. First, your dog should see their veterinarian at least once every year. At these annual visits, the staff can test your pet for the disease and ensure they remain healthy. Additionally, your dog should take monthly preventive medications to ensure a bite from an infected mosquito will not result in the disease.

To keep your puppy heartworm-free, you’ll need to visit a reliable veterinarian. The experts at Kapolei Pet Hospital offer the expertise and equipment necessary to keep your beloved companions as healthy as possible. To learn more about their services, such as stem cell therapy, call the pet clinic at (808) 462-8040. You can also like them on Facebook for news and other updates.

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