Heartworms, Ticks and More: A Spring Guide to Parasite Prevention

Warmer weather is on the horizon and that means all sorts of creatures come out to bask in the sunshine! This is the time of year when most Veterinary Practices will be reminding you to pick up parasite prevention for your pets. There are several products available and it’s important to consider your pets’ risk of exposure when selecting the right parasiticide.

What is Heartworm Disease?

Heartworm is a parasite that is transmitted by mosquitoes. A mosquito must bite an infected host; acquiring the larvae that is in the blood and then bite another host for transmission. Certain conditions must be met for heartworm to thrive including consistent warmer temperatures that help larva develop; mosquitoes capable of carrying the larval stage of heartworm as well as infected dogs and vulnerable host dogs that make transmission possible. This is inclusive of coyotes not just domesticated pets.

Should you be concerned about Heartworm disease in your dog?

Yes. If left untreated, heartworm can be fatal as adult worms hijack the major arteries and blood vessels in the body and reside primarily in the heart. It does not matter if your dog does not wander onto the grass or spends a lot of time outdoors as mosquitoes can be found outside as well as inside the home. If you plan to travel with your dog to a warmer climate, then it is recommended that your pet receives heartworm prevention during your travels as a precaution. As long as your dog is given heartworm prevention and this medication is administered consistently, their risk of contracting heartworm disease remains low.

Is deworming necessary?

Luckily most heartworm preventatives include a deworming component so you will already be deworming your dog when you give their heartworm prevention. Deworming your pet once a year is the standard recommendation for both dogs and cats. If your pet is a scavenger or avid hunter, you should consider deworming them more frequently. It is also recommended to deworm pets that are in direct contact with small children, the elderly or immunocompromised individuals due to the potential of zoonotic transmission to people. Please remember to practice good hygiene when handling your pets’ feces whether you are cleaning up after a walk outside or emptying the litterbox.

What about ticks?

Tick prevention is recommended year-round. Over the years ticks have become more active, and their territories have been expanding. This is mostly due to migratory birds and pets that travel as certain species will latch onto a host and then detach themselves in new locations. While we see most tick species active when temperatures are above four degrees Celsius, there are certain species that have developed a survival mechanism similar to anti-freeze allowing them to thrive in subzero temperatures which is statistically when tick prevention was paused in the past. There are no gaps in your pets’ protection and risk of transmissible disease remains low if you give tick prevention year-round.

Ask your vet about which parasiticides are best suited for your pets’ lifestyle and exposure risk!