{"id":1401,"date":"2024-04-23T12:27:24","date_gmt":"2024-04-23T19:27:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sbahvet.com\/blog\/?p=1401"},"modified":"2024-04-17T12:27:39","modified_gmt":"2024-04-17T19:27:39","slug":"everything-you-need-to-know-about-heartworm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sbahvet.com\/blog\/everything-you-need-to-know-about-heartworm\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything You Need to Know About Heartworm"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"A<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

April is Heartworm Awareness Month, which means we get to share some of our most important tips about heartworm prevention. If you\u2019re considering getting a new puppy or kitten<\/a>, or if it\u2019s been a while since your pet last took his or her heartworm medication, it\u2019s time for a refresher course on heartworm disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Heartworm? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Heartworm disease is caused by a parasite called Dirofilaria immitis<\/em>. Dogs and other canids are natural hosts for this parasite, and mosquitos are the vectors that spread it from dog to dog. Cats can get heartworms, too, but they\u2019re less susceptible than our canine friends. As the name would suggest, heartworms live in your dog or cat\u2019s heart. They also take up residence in the lungs and blood vessels, causing damage to your pet\u2019s organs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are four stages of heartworm disease in pets, and they\u2019re marked by progressively worse symptoms: <\/p>\n\n\n\n