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1:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Saturday
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625 NW Us Highway 24
Topeka, KS 66608
(785) 357-5188
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The adult heartworms live in the heart and major arteries of the lungs. The worms produce microfilariae (baby heartworm larvae), which circulate through the dog's bloodstream.
Mosquitoes bite a dog infected with heart worms picking up the microfilariae circulating in the blood stream. The microfilariae undergo several changes, or molts, in the mosquito’s system. This takes several weeks.
The infected mosquito bites another dog and transmits the larvae into the dog’s bloodstream.
Over the next 4-6 months, the heartworm larvae develop and migrate to the dog’s heart and lungs.
Heartworms live in the heart and in the major arteries of the lungs. They can grow up to 10-14 inches in length and cause permanent heart and lung damage and even death.
If diagnosed early, most dogs can usually be success-fully treated with a recently developed drug called Immiticide. Treatment is expensive, and some dogs may have permanent damage done to the heart and lungs.
Puppies can start on a preventive without testing. Dogs over six months old could possibly have adult heartworms. They should be blood tested prior to starting the preventive to avoid serious reactions.
Did you know that cats could also get heartworms? There is presently no treatment for feline heartworm disease, but it can be prevented with Feline Heartgard tablets or Revolution, a topical gel applied to the skin once a month.
Heartworm infection can easily be prevented with once-a-month tablets that are 100% effective.
Heartworm preventive should be given year-round since our winters have been milder in recent years. Annual re-testing of dogs on heartworm preventive is advised.
All dogs over six months of age should be blood tested prior to starting the preventive to avoid potential serious reactions.
There is a significant savings when you purchase a one-year supply of preventive.