Heartworm is a serious and potentially fatal disease that affects dogs across Australia—particularly in the Sydney region, where infection rates remain significant. This parasite is transmitted by mosquitoes, making even indoor dogs susceptible to infection.
What Is Heartworm?
Heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) is a parasitic worm that lodges in the heart, lungs, and associated major blood vessels of infected dogs. Once inside the body, the larvae grow into adult worms, causing significant damage to the heart and lungs. Left untreated, heartworm disease can lead to heart failure, lung disease, organ damage, and even death.
How Is It Transmitted?
Heartworm is not spread directly from dog to dog. Instead, it is transmitted via mosquito bites. A mosquito bites an infected animal, picks up heartworm larvae, then passes those larvae on to the next animal it bites. This makes year-round prevention essential, especially in areas where mosquitoes are common.
Why Prevention Is Crucial
Treatment for heartworm is expensive, complex, and not always successful, especially if the disease has progressed. Preventing heartworm is far safer, easier, and more cost-effective than treating it after infection.
Heartworm Prevention Options
There are several safe and effective preventative options available:
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Monthly preventatives: Available as tablets or spot-on treatments, these must be administered every month to remain effective.
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Heartworm injection: A long-acting injection is available, which can be administered by your vet:
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First injection: at 3 months of age
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Second: at 6 months
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Third: at 15 months
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After that: annually, for ongoing protection
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This injectable option is convenient and removes the worry of remembering monthly doses.
Starting Prevention: Testing Is Key
If your dog is over 3 months of age and has not been on a heartworm preventative, it’s important to perform a heartworm blood test before starting any prevention program. This ensures your dog is not already infected, as giving preventatives to an infected dog can lead to serious complications.
Heartworm is a preventable but life-threatening disease. By staying up to date with regular heartworm protection you’re giving your dog the best chance at a long, healthy life.
For more information or to discuss the best heartworm prevention plan for your pet, talk to your veterinarian.
