Mosquito Season Approaching: American Heartworm Society Reminds Pet Owners of Risk

Mosquito Season Approaching: American Heartworm Society Reminds Pet Owners of
Risk

BATAVIA, Ill., March 31 /PRNewswire/ -- As temperatures grow warmer, the
American Heartworm Society (AHS) wants every pet owner to be prepared for
mosquito season and the heartworm disease risk it carries for pets.
Although the risk of heartworm disease is heightened in warmer months when
the mosquito population increases, the AHS recommends year-round prevention
for both dogs and cats. By giving heartworm prevention every month, forgetful
pet owners will have their pets protected when they need it most.
"Surveys show only about 75 percent of pets are given the full dosage
recommended by a veterinarian," Sheldon Rubin, DVM, AHS president and Chicago
practitioner, said. "With year-round prevention, if doses are accidentally
skipped, the drug is still effective."
Recently, researchers discovered that respiratory signs in cats, which are
often diagnosed as feline asthma or allergic bronchitis, may actually be
caused by the presence of heartworms in either larval or adult stages. The
acronym "HARD" is the term for this clinical presentation and stands for
Heartworm Associated Respiratory Disease. Heartworm preventive medications are
the only option for cats, as there is no approved treatment for feline
heartworm disease.
Heartworm disease treatments are available for dogs, but treating for
heartworms is much more costly and dangerous to the animal than simply
preventing it. Yet another reason to use year-round prevention is that many
heartworm preventives also have activity against other intestinal and common
parasites, such as roundworms and fleas.
Options for preventing heartworm infection in both dogs and cats include
daily and monthly tablets and chewables as well as monthly topicals. These
methods are effective, easy to administer and inexpensive. These medications
interrupt heartworm development before larvae and adult worms reach the lungs
and cause disease. When administered properly and on a timely schedule,
heartworm infection can be prevented.
The American Heartworm Society, www.heartwormsociety.org , is the global
resource for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of heartworm disease. It
was formed during the Heartworm Symposium of 1974. The American Heartworm
Society stimulates and financially supports research, which furthers knowledge
and understanding of the disease. Its headquarters are located in Batavia,
Ill.

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click
appropriate link.
Dr. Sheldon Rubin
http://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=64930

SOURCE The American Heartworm Society

Kristin Stephens, kristin.stephens@germinder.com, Corrina Anderson,
corrina.anderson@germinder.com, both for The American Heartworm Society,
+1-816-822-0192; or Eve C. Larocca of The American Heartworm Society,
+1-630-262-1997, info@heartwormsociety.org