April is National Heartworm Awareness Month

Spring is upon us! We hope you are enjoying the trees budding, the flowers blooming, and the warmer temperatures. While spring has many beautiful qualities, it can also herald the arrival of mosquitoes, those pesky insects we all despise.

Mosquitoes are more than just a nuisance for your pet, however. Did you know that mosquitoes can deposit heartworm larvae through a single bite? The heartworm larvae then mature into adult worms within their host—your pet. Left untreated, heartworm infection can cause severe illness and even death for your pet.

Heartworm infection poses a serious risk for your cat or dog. After the larvae have been deposited, they mature into adult worms that lodge in the heart and lungs of infected animals. Once the heartworms have reached adulthood, they begin to cause illness. Many early heartworm infections do not cause any symptoms, so once infection is discovered, cases are often advanced. The treatment for heartworm infection in dogs is both risky and expensive. To date, there is no effective treatment for heartworm infection in cats.

The good news is that heartworm infection can easily be prevented! By administering a monthly heartworm preventative to your cat or dog, you can rest assured your pet will not become infected with this dangerous parasite. While you are enjoying some of the beautiful green spaces on the Upper West Side, make sure to protect your cat or dog with a year-round heartworm prevention regimen—and remember that mosquitoes are everywhere, so even if your pets stay indoors, they need protection too.

Our staff here at Hudson Animal Hospital can help you select which heartworm medication is best for your pet based on the type of animal, its size, and other factors. Contact us today at 212-706-4088 so we can help you make sure your pet is protected this spring!

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