A dog being given heartworm medicine with a syringe

Heartworm Prevention and Treatment

Spring Creek Animal Hospital Offers Heartworm Prevention & Treatment

Heartworm disease is a condition that affects both dogs and cats. The disease is transmitted by the bite of a mosquito and can lead to serious heart and lung impairment in animals. Prevention is key to keeping your pet from acquiring the disease and can help you avoid expensive veterinary treatment. At Spring Creek Animal Hospital in San Antonio, TX, we offer preventative medications and treatment for heartworm disease.

What Is Heartworm Disease?

Heartworm disease can be transmitted to your pet when an infected mosquito bites the animal and transfers microfilariae into the bloodstream. These tiny worms then mature and reproduce, migrating to the heart and lungs of the animals, where they begin to crowd normal tissue and produce symptoms. Heartworm disease cannot be transmitted from one animal to another. Only infected mosquitoes carry the microfilariae. If left untreated, the animal will die, as the worms take up more space inside the organs. Preventive medications eliminate the worms before they can cause harm to the animal.

Symptoms of Heartworm Disease

Dogs may only have a slight cough in the early stages. However, as the worms multiply, the animal may have reduced energy, persistent cough, difficulty breathing and heart impairment. Cats often show less obvious signs of infection. They may exhibit vomiting, lower energy levels, decreased appetite and weight loss. Blood tests are available to detect heartworm infection in animals.

Heartworm Treatment

An infected animal is put on a regimen of complete rest to prevent damage to the heart and lungs. Heartworm drugs are administered to eliminate the worms in the body. Antibiotics and steroid medications are also given. A series of injections are given over time to eliminate all of the worms, and retesting is recommended periodically after treatment.

Spring Creek Animal Hospital Offers Heartworm Prevention & Treatment

Your veterinarian in San Antonio can provide heartworm prevention medications in oral form, spot-on treatments or an injectable form to ensure your pet avoids this serious disease. Vets recommend providing treatment throughout the year, and not only during the summer months.

Contact Spring Creek Animal Hospital in San Antonio Today!

Dr. Blevins, Dr. Pacheco and the staff at Spring Creek Animal Hospital are dedicated to providing quality care for all their patients in San Antonio, TX and surrounding communities. Call Spring Creek Animal Hospital today at (210) 599-2131 for an appointment to learn about heartworm disease and how you can protect your pet from this disease or Make An Appointment online.