With Spring getting off to a warm start, Manitoba veterinarians are encouraging pet owners to book appointments for heartworm care.

"There is suspicion among veterinarians that last year's cool summer resulted in some pet owners missing their heartworm prevention appointments since mosquitoes weren't as noticeable as in previous years," said Dr. Leeanne Bargen, a veterinarian practicing in Steinbach. "If this is the case, then a heartworm test is in order."

The gold standard in heartworm treatment and prevention is a blood test to detect presence of worms then, depending on results, further diagnostic tests, treatment of worms or administration of heartworm prevention, the Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association says. It's important to treat for worms first since administering the preventative for heartworm can trigger an allergic reaction in some dogs if worms are present.

"It is very difficult to say that a pet owner has been 100 per cent compliant with the delivery of the heartworm prevention. You may think your dog has swallowed all of the heartworm pills you've given, but I have heard of pet owners discovering three years of heartworm medication behind the sofa when they were packing up to move. They found the dog's hiding spot for his chewable tablets!" said Bargen. She added pet owners can now choose between one-time injections or a daily pill for heartworm treatment. Routine testing allows veterinarians to monitor for any changes in resistance to the preventative medications used.

Tiny heartworms enter a dog's bloodstream when it's bitten by an infected mosquito. Over the course of six to seven months the worms grow into adults, move into the heart and begin reproducing.

While Manitoba's outdoor dogs are targets for treatment and prevention, indoor dogs are subject to mosquito bites too making them susceptible to heartworm infection. Manitoba cats have also tested positive for heartworms. Speak to your veterinarian about the most appropriate care for your pet.