Heartworm disease is caused by the growth of a worm transmitted by mosquitoes. There are four stages in the development of an adult heartworm; microfilariae, larva, juvenile worm, adult worm. It takes approximately 6 months for the adult worm to develop.
The adult heartworm can live up to 7 years. They live in the right side of the heart and eventually effect the blood’s circulation. Heartworms can cause many serious problems to your pet including but not limited to infection, congestive heart failure and even death.
Heartworms can live in cats too. It is recommended that cats be put on heartworm prevention. Although cats have a lower incidence of heartworm disease than dogs, their infestations can be very deadly and there is no treatment to eliminate heartworms in cats once they are infected.
At Animal Medical Center of Brooksville we have several products for heartworm prevention. The products can be administered orally or topically.
Oral administered products for dogs:
- Credelio Quattro™ – heartworm prevention and intestinal parasite control; flea and tick control
- Heartgard Plus™ – heartworm prevention and intestinal parasite control
- Nexgard Plus™ – heartworm prevention and intestinal parasite control; flea and tick control
Topical administered products for cats:
- Bravecto Plus™ – heartworm prevention, flea and tick control
- Nexgard Combo™ – heartworm prevention, flea, tick and intestinal parasite control
Oral administered products for cats:
- Interceptor™ – heartworm prevention and intestinal parasite control
Animal Medical Center of Brooksville recommends that pets be on heartworm prevention year round to ensure the health of your pet. The products described above are prescription-only products. Call us for more information.