Mosquitoes are responsible for transmitting several vector-borne illnesses, and heartworm disease is one of the most serious. Heartworms are now endemic across North America and are unfortunately very prevalent in the Southern states, including right here in North Carolina. The good news is that prevention is straightforward, effective, and far easier than treating the disease once it takes hold.
What Heartworms Actually Do
When a mosquito carrying heartworm larvae bites your dog or cat, it transmits the infectious larval stage. Adult heartworms live in the large blood vessels of the lungs and the heart itself — male heartworms can grow up to 6 inches long, and females can reach 12 inches. Heartworm infection can lead to persistent coughing, pulmonary hypertension, kidney disease, congestive heart failure, and sudden death.
For dogs, the only effective treatment for adult heartworms is an arsenic-based adulticide, which is expensive, takes months to complete, and is hard on the dog. For cats, there is no approved adulticide treatment at all.
Prevention Options for Dogs
ProHeart (injectable) — A long-acting injection given by your veterinarian that lasts either 6 or 12 months. Ideal for pet parents who don’t want to remember a monthly pill.
Simparica Trio (oral, monthly) — A flavored chewable tablet that prevents heartworms, fleas, and ticks in a single product.
Interceptor Plus (oral, monthly) — A more budget-friendly option that prevents heartworms while also deworming for hookworms, whipworms, roundworms, and tapeworms.
Prevention Options for Cats
Heartworm prevention matters for cats too, even strictly indoor cats. Since there’s no treatment for adult heartworms in cats, prevention isn’t optional.
Revolution Plus (topical, monthly) — Prevents heartworms, hookworms, roundworms, ear mites, fleas, and ticks.
Most veterinarians recommend starting heartworm prevention at 6 to 8 weeks of age and continuing year-round for the rest of your pet’s life as part of their regular wellness care. To talk through which prevention is right for your dog or cat, call us at (828) 256-2151.