Springtime Parasite Prevention in Winter Garden, FL
Did you know that if your dog or cat gets bitten by a mosquito, there is a possibility your pet could get heartworms? This is a condition that can cause your pet to become seriously ill, and in some instances, it can even cause death. If you live in Winter Garden and want to protect your pet from heartworm, here are some things you should know.
If you live in Winter Garden, Windermere, Apopka, Ocoee, or Montverde, FL, you’ll want to pay attention to how parasites can bring certain diseases, like heartworm to your pet.
Heartworm Disease in Winter Garden
Heartworms are a parasite that can cause sickness in dogs, even to the point of death. Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitos and take up residence in the vital organs of your dog. If heartworms living inside your dog become adults and produce offspring, your dog could end up with hundreds of heartworms. Although cats can also get heartworms, the worms usually don’t grow to be adults, since a cat is considered an atypical host, and not a natural host like dogs.
Checking Your Pet for Heartworms
In trying to determine whether or not your dog or cat has heartworms, there are some symptoms you can look for. Your dog might develop a persistent cough or be tired after only a moderate amount of exercise. A lack of appetite and weight loss are a few other signs of heartworms. Cats might also have a cough and experience weight loss. For some pets, however, there may be no symptoms, especially during the early stages of heartworm disease. For this reason, it is imperative that your pet is checked by a veterinarian for heartworms.
All it takes for your pet to get tested is having the veterinarian take a blood sample. If your pet doesn’t have heartworms, your veterinarian may prescribe medication in order to prevent it.
Contact Us for an Appointment
If you would like to get your pet tested for heartworms, contact Winter Garden Animal Hospital at (407) 656-4132. We also service Montverde, Windermere, Apopka, and Ocoee, FL.