Heartworm Awareness Month: Myths vs. Facts About Heartworm Disease

April is National Heartworm Awareness Month, a time to educate pet owners about a serious but preventable disease that affects both dogs and cats. Heartworms are spread through mosquito bites and can cause severe damage to a pet’s heart, lungs, and blood vessels if left untreated.

The good news is that heartworm disease is preventable with regular testing and prevention. This month, we’re breaking down a few common myths about heartworms and sharing the facts every pet owner should know.

Myth #1: Heartworms spread from pet to pet

Fact: Heartworms are spread through mosquito bites, not through direct contact between animals. When a mosquito bites an infected animal, it can carry microscopic heartworm larvae and transmit them to another pet through its next bite. Because mosquitoes can bite multiple animals, even pets that rarely interact with others can still be at risk.

Myth #2: Indoor pets aren’t at risk

Fact: Even indoor pets can get heartworms. Mosquitoes can easily enter homes through open doors, windows, or small gaps. This means pets that spend most or all of their time indoors are still vulnerable to infection.

Myth #3: Pets on heartworm prevention don’t need testing

Fact: Veterinarians recommend annual heartworm testing, even for pets that are on prevention medication. Testing helps ensure the prevention plan is working properly and catches infections early if they occur.

Protecting Your Pet

Heartworm disease can lead to serious health complications, but prevention is simple and effective. Pet owners can protect their animals by:

Keeping pets on year-round heartworm prevention
Scheduling annual heartworm testing
Visiting a veterinarian regularly for checkups

Heartworm disease is dangerous, but it’s also preventable with the right care. By understanding the risks and staying proactive with prevention and testing, pet owners can help keep their pets healthy and heartworm-free.

If your pet is due for testing or prevention, now is the perfect time to schedule a visit and make heartworm protection part of your pet’s routine care.