Source: Fort Gordon Signal

Is your pet on heartworm prevention? It is a simple question that has life-saving ramifications for your cat or dog. If you do not give your pet a monthly preventative, take a moment and keep reading. If you do give heartworm prevention, know your pet appreciates you!

What is heartworm disease and how does your pet become infected: Heartworms are spread by mosquitoes. According to the American Heartworm Association, the process works like this: “First, adult female heartworms release their young, called microfilariae, into an animal's bloodstream. Then, mosquitoes become infected with microfilariae while taking blood meal from the infected animal. During the next 10 to 14 days, the microfilariae mature to the infective larval stage within the mosquito. After that, the mosquito bites another dog, cat or other susceptible animal, and the infective larvae enter through the bite wound. It then takes a little over six months for the infective larvae to mature into adult worms. In dogs, the worms may live for up to seven years.”

What you should be doing to thwart this cycle: Visiting your veterinarian for a quick blood test is the first step in ensuring your pet is healthy. Next your veterinarian can recommend a heartworm prevention that is right for your pet. The medicine comes in several forms such as tablets, meaty chews, and topical applications.