Heartworm Prevention and Treatment

If you are a pet owner, you undoubtedly want the best for your animals so that they can remain healthy and happy throughout their lives. One step you can take to protect your companion animals is to provide them with heartworm treatment. Heartworm medicine can be prescribed at A Pet's Choice Veterinary Care in San Antonio during your furry animals’ veterinary exam. Read on to learn more about what heartworm disease does to pets, the steps you can take to protect your furry animals at home, and the process of obtaining heartworm treatment at our practice.

Heartworm Prevention and Treatment

What Happens To A Pet When It Contracts Heartworm Disease

Heartworm disease is caused by a parasitic worm called Dirofilaria immitis. It occurs when worms are transferred to an animal through a bite of an infected mosquito. This disease can be deadly if not treated right away. The first signs of the disease include excessive coughing, difficulty breathing, and lethargy. If your pets become infected, small worms will grow in their lungs and heart. These worms can cause organs to fail. Unfortunately, cats do not have medication to treat this disease once it is present, but there are some treatments available for dogs. The best way to protect your beloved animals against heartworm disease is with preventative care.

What You Can Do To Protect Your Pets At Home

Minimizing the mosquito population on your property can help protect your pets from contracting heartworms. Mosquitoes tend to stay in areas where stagnant water is present as they use it for breeding purposes. Make sure to dump out standing water so mosquitoes can breed elsewhere. Cover swimming pools, birdbaths, fountains, or ponds when they are not in use. Use mosquito repellent candles outdoors when your pets are present. These can reduce the chance of being bitten by an infected mosquito.

What Happens During a Veterinary Care Appointment

If your companion pets are showing signs of heartworm disease, our veterinary team can conduct tests to determine whether your dogs or cats are suffering from this condition. If you have cats, our vet will make recommendations regarding their care. If you have dogs, medication can be provided to treat the worms. 

Protecting your pets from heartworms is necessary even if they don’t have worms present. Our veterinarians can provide heartworm treatment each month for your pets to keep heartworm disease from becoming a problem.

Heartworm Prevention is Key to Keeping Your Pets Healthy

Prevention is the best treatment your pets can have. Contact our veterinary team at A Pet's Choice Veterinary Care in San Antonio today by calling 210-735-2273 to schedule an appointment for heartworm treatment or preventative medication. 

Office Hours

Our Regular Schedule

Monday - Friday:

7:30 am - 5:30 pm

Saturday:

7:30 am - 2:30 pm

Sunday:

Closed