Blog

Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal condition that affects dogs, cats, and up to 30 other species of animals. It is caused by parasitic worms (heartworms) living in the major blood vessels of the lungs and, occasionally, in the heart. These worms are transmitted (as microscopic larvae) through the bite of an infected mosquito. The scientific name for the heartworm parasite is Dirofilaria immitis. Heartworm disease can cause a variety of medical problems affecting the lungs, heart, liver, and/or kidneys. Any of these problems, alone or in combination, can lead to death. Although a safe and effective treatment…

Fleas are everywhere. Even the cleanest, most pampered pets can get fleas and once inside your home, fleas can spread rapidly. Depending on where you live, the risk of flea infestation diminishes somewhat in colder months because freezing temperatures kill off many outdoor pests, but infestation remains a year-round concern as there are many warm places where fleas can thrive. The good news is that there are effective products to help prevent your pet from becoming infested. Overview These small, wingless insects are common pests of wildlife such as raccoons and rabbits. As wild critters crawl around your yard, they…

Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that can affect dogs and cats. It’s caused by parasitic worms that can live in the heart, lungs and related blood vessels, and it’s spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes. However, the disease is generally preventable and there are measures you can take to help protect your pet from these dangerous parasites. Signs of Infection So, how do you know when your dog or cat has heartworms? Many pets don’t show signs of heartworm infection, which is one reason why heartworm testing is so important. However, depending on the number of…