HEAD: Heartworm: Your Pets Are More at Risk Than You Think
Until recently, heartworm was considered more of a problem in the southern part of the country than in the Pacific Northwest. The parasite is spread by mosquitoes, and due to warmer, wetter summers making our region more hospitable for them, heartworm is becoming a problem in Oregon as well.
According to the latest data from the Companion Animal Parasite Council, 128 dogs in Oregon tested positive for heartworm in 2012. In 2016, that number was up to 193—and many more of those cases were reported in the northwest quadrant of the state than in years past.
Heartworm’s symptoms often go undetected until there’s multiple worms living in your dog’s heart. They also thrive in the lungs and blood vessels, damaging internal organs and leading to lung disease and heart failure. While heartworm treatment for dogs is available, it is expensive and can be painful for your pet.
Administering monthly heartworm preventative medication year-round is your pet’s best defense against heartworm, and annual heartworm tests verify that the medication is working. We have many different types of heartworm preventatives available at XXXX, and your veterinarian can help you decide which one is best for your pet.
If you’d like to learn more or schedule an appointment, call us at 999-999-9999.