Cats, dogs, and ferrets can all be negatively affected by heartworms. Heartworms can wreak havoc on your pet's health. Once infected, they can be difficult and costly to treat. The best way to help your pet fight against heartworm is to initiate heartworm prevention. This can help prevent them from becoming infected at all, saving their lives and providing them with the best protection available. At Animal Wellness Center in Bellevue, WA, our veterinarian and the rest of our veterinary care team are dedicated to providing the best pet care available.

What Are Heartworms?

Heartworms are a type of parasite that can infect dogs, cats, and ferrets. However, dogs are most susceptible to heartworm since they are the perfect host for this dangerous parasite. Heartworms begin by infecting the heart, but then lead to issues such as:

• Kidney failure
• Liver failure
• Persistent cough
• Difficulty breathing
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Changes in appetite
• Death

Heartworms are only spread by the bite of a mosquito. If your dog spends lots of time outside or you live in an area prone to mosquitos, this makes it even more important to initiate heartworm prevention.

What is Heartworm Prevention?

Heartworm prevention is a simple, yet effective technique that can help protect your dog against heartworms. Heartworm prevention comes in the form of:

• Chewable medication
• Injections every 6 to 12 months
• Spot medications 
• Pet exam to determine if your pet is infected by heartworms

How a Veterinarian Can Help

Our veterinarian will be able to conduct a pet exam to determine if your pet is currently infected with heartworms. After, they can provide heartworm prevention or initiate heartworm treatment. We will examine your pet's symptoms and conduct blood tests to determine whether or not heartworms are present in your pet’s system.

Without treatment from a veterinarian, heartworm will eventually turn fatal. To save your pet's life, it's important to get them examined by our veterinarian as soon as possible. Heartworm is incredibly simple, yet can save you the heartache of losing your pet.

Schedule a Pet Exam with Our Veterinarian in Bellevue

At Animal Wellness Center, we'll help protect your pet through a comprehensive pet exam, heartworm prevention, and other veterinary services. Call us today at (425) 455-8900 for more information or to schedule an appointment.