Heartworm Disease in Dogs is a Serious Matter
Heartworms are parasites that are transmitted by mosquitoes. These worms live in the heart and they will cause damage to the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys which can ultimately lead to the death of your pet. There is a treatment for heartworms, but it is both dangerous and expensive. At Prospect Heights Animal Hospital, we can easily test your dog for heartworm disease and start them on a safe inexpensive preventative, to keep your dog happy and heartworm free.

Heartworms can Affect Cats Too!
Heartworm disease in cats is very different than dogs. With dogs, their illness usually correlates with larger amount of worms, whereas with cats they can actually die from just one worm! Mosquitoes transmit the heartworms to cats and some cat’s immune systems can actually destroy the worms without the cat ever showing signs. The problem is that sometimes the death of just one heartworm can trigger an anaphylactic episode that can lead to the sudden acute death of a cat. Studies show that even if your cat is strictly indoors they are being exposed to heartworm infected mosquitoes. Don’t let this happen to your cat- heartworm disease is easily prevented with an inexpensive monthly medication.