Heartworm disease can be very serious for pets who contract it and fatal if left alone. It is caused by a parasite called “Dirofilaria immitis” that can be transmitted to your pet through the bite of an infected mosquito. It’s seen mostly in dogs, but cats and ferrets can also be affected.
Dogs are considered natural hosts for heartworms that are able to grow, mature, and produce offspring that will do the same. An infected dog can have hundreds of worms living inside them.
Cats are not natural hosts for heartworms, but they can still contract the disease. Most worms will not grow into adults, but younger worms can cause a secondary life-threatening disease called heartworm associated respiratory disease (HARD).
We offer a simple and quick blood test with results available within minutes. We highly recommend getting your pet tested and put on a heart worm preventative.