How To Prevent Heartworm Disease in Puppies

Caring for a new puppy comes with many responsibilities, and preventing heartworm disease should be at the top of your list. According to the American Heartworm Society (AHS), puppies should begin heartworm prevention by the time they reach 8 weeks of age. Starting early is crucial because a single bite from an infected mosquito can expose your puppy to heartworm infection from day one. Prioritizing heartworm prevention ensures your furry companion grows up healthy and protected against this serious disease. At Anipetshop, we offer a trusted selection of heartworm prevention medications for puppies, ensuring your newest family member stays protected right from the start.

Key Takeaways

• Administer a veterinarian-approved heartworm preventative medication starting at 8 weeks of age and continue with monthly dosing to ensure consistent protection against heartworms in dogs.
• Implement mosquito control measures such as using repellents and maintaining a clean environment to reduce the risk of exposure to heartworm-carrying mosquitoes.
• Perform annual heartworm testing to facilitate early detection of heartworm larvae and allow for timely and effective heartworm treatment if necessary.
• Consult with a veterinarian to develop a tailored heartworm prevention plan, including the selection of appropriate preventative products based on the puppy’s health and lifestyle.
• Schedule regular veterinary check-ups to monitor overall health, review the effectiveness of the heartworm prevention for dogs plan, and make adjustments as needed.

Can Puppies Get Heartworms?

YES. Puppies are highly susceptible to heartworm disease, which is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. This risk exists from the moment your puppy is born, as mosquitoes can bite and transfer heartworm larvae at any time.

Once infected, the larvae begin to develop within your puppy’s body, growing into adult heartworms over the course of 6 to 7 months. During this time, even before a positive heartworm test result, the developing heartworms can cause significant damage, including permanent scarring to the blood vessels and lungs. This early damage can have lasting effects on your puppy’s health, emphasizing the importance of early prevention.

Heartworm disease can be life-threatening, but it’s also preventable. Protecting your puppy from heartworms is a vital step in ensuring they grow into a healthy, happy dog.

How to Know if Your Puppy Has Heartworm Disease

Heartworm disease in puppies is a serious condition that can be challenging to detect in its early stages. The disease is caused by parasitic worms that live in the heart, lungs, and associated blood vessels of infected animals. While a blood test conducted by your veterinarian is the only definitive way to diagnose heartworm disease, recognizing the signs of advanced infection can help you take timely action. Key Symptoms of Heartworm Disease:

• Persistent Cough: A consistent, dry, and unproductive cough is one of the hallmark signs of heartworm disease. This occurs because the worms inhabit the lungs and surrounding blood vessels, causing inflammation and discomfort. If your puppy’s cough does not resolve with time or typical remedies, it’s crucial to seek veterinary attention.
• Reluctance to Exercise: Puppies are typically energetic, so noticeable lethargy or reluctance to engage in play or walks can be concerning. Heartworms can cause fatigue by reducing blood flow and oxygen delivery, making even light activity exhausting for an infected puppy.
• Decreased Appetite and Weight Loss: As the disease progresses, puppies may lose interest in food or struggle to eat. This decline in appetite often results in weight loss and weakened muscle mass, further reducing their energy levels and overall vitality.
• Swollen Belly: In severe cases, a swollen belly may develop due to fluid buildup in the abdomen, a condition known as ascites. This occurs when the heart struggles to pump blood effectively, leading to fluid leakage and swelling. A distended abdomen is often a late-stage symptom, indicating the disease has reached life-threatening proportions.

Early heartworm infection may not present noticeable symptoms, making routine blood tests essential for detecting the disease before significant damage occurs. Puppies should be tested annually, and preventive medication can be administered to safeguard their health. Prevention is particularly vital since advanced heartworm disease requires prolonged and costly treatment and poses severe risks to your puppy’s well-being.

The Importance of Heartworm Disease Prevention for Puppies

Mosquitoes, which are the primary carriers of heartworm larvae, can easily enter homes, putting indoor puppies at risk of infection. Preventive measures are crucial to safeguarding your puppy’s health, as even young dogs can develop life-threatening heartworm infections within their first year if left unprotected.

Heartworm disease progresses rapidly in puppies. By the time the worms mature—typically around 6 to 7 months after infection—they begin to impair heart and lung function. The physical burden of the worms, combined with the inflammation they cause, can lead to significant organ damage, reducing a puppy’s quality of life and overall lifespan.

Treatment for heartworm disease is both expensive and risky. The medications used to kill adult worms and microfilaria (immature worms) can cause severe side effects, including allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis. Additionally, as the worms die, they may form blood clots, which can block vital blood flow and lead to organ or brain damage. While veterinarians often administer steroids and other medications to mitigate these risks, treatment remains far more dangerous than preventing the disease altogether.

For puppies undergoing heartworm treatment, recovery can be a slow and precarious process. Physical activity must be restricted to prevent complications such as embolism (blockage of a blood vessel) caused by dying worms. This inactivity can be challenging for young, energetic dogs and their owners. Even after successful treatment, lasting damage to the heart and lungs may compromise the dog’s overall health and vitality.

How Vets Test For Heartworm Disease

To test for heartworm disease, your vet will take a small blood sample from your pet to check for the presence of heartworm proteins. This test can be done either in the clinic if there is a lab on-site or sent to a specialized diagnostic laboratory to check for signs of heartworm disease. If the test results are positive, additional tests may be necessary to determine the severity of the infection. It’s recommended to have your dog tested for heartworm disease annually during routine vet visits to ensure early detection and effective preventive care.

How You Can Prevent Heartworm Disease in Puppies

Heartworm preventatives are highly effective and readily available through your veterinarian, making it much simpler and less expensive to prevent the disease than to treat it. Puppies should start on heartworm prevention as early as 6 to 8 weeks of age, and if your puppy is over 6 months old, a heartworm test is necessary before starting prevention to ensure your puppy isn’t already infected.

Most heartworm preventatives are administered every 30 days, so marking your calendar or setting a phone reminder can help you maintain consistent coverage. Since many preventatives are dosed based on your puppy’s weight, your veterinarian may provide doses one at a time, especially for larger puppies who may quickly grow into the next weight range. It’s essential to use the correct dose for your puppy’s current weight, as an incorrect dose could either fail to protect your puppy or cause adverse effects.

In addition to heartworm preventatives, using a mosquito repellent like Advantix® II can further reduce the risk of infection by minimizing mosquito bites, though it doesn’t directly prevent heartworms. Regular testing is still recommended annually to ensure that the preventative measures are working effectively and that your dog remains free from heartworm disease.

By following these steps and staying vigilant with preventative care, you can significantly reduce the risk of your puppy contracting heartworm disease and protect them from the serious health issues associated with this infection.

Best Heartworm Prevention for Puppies

Choosing the best heartworm prevention for your puppy can be overwhelming with so many great products on the market. The ideal option is one that you feel comfortable using, is affordable, and easy to administer. Several effective options are available to keep your puppy safe and healthy. Based on veterinary recommendations, here are some top choices for heartworm prevention for dogs that you can consider.

Heartgard®

Heartgard® is a highly trusted, vet-recommended chewable that protects puppies against heartworm disease. It contains ivermectin, which eliminates heartworm larvae before they mature into adult worms. The beef-flavored chew is palatable and easy to administer, making it an excellent choice for puppies that might resist other forms of medication. While it does not provide protection against fleas, ticks, or other parasites, Heartgard® is a straightforward and effective option for heartworm prevention.

• Type: Chewable tablet
• Additional Benefits: None; focuses solely on heartworm prevention.

Simparica Trio™

Simparica Trio™ offers a comprehensive solution for pet owners looking for a multi-purpose preventative. This chewable contains sarolaner, moxidectin, and pyrantel, which together protect against heartworm disease while treating fleas, ticks, and common intestinal parasites. It’s an excellent choice if you want an all-in-one product to reduce the number of medications your puppy needs. The chewable is liver-flavored, which many puppies enjoy, simplifying administration.

• Type: Chewable tablet
• Additional Benefits: Protects against fleas, ticks, and certain intestinal parasites like roundworms and hookworms.

Revolution®

Revolution® is a topical medication applied directly to your puppy’s skin, typically between the shoulder blades. It contains selamectin, which prevents heartworms and protects against other parasites like fleas and ticks. Revolution® is ideal for puppies that might have difficulty taking oral medications. Its broad-spectrum coverage makes it convenient for managing multiple parasite threats simultaneously.

• Type: Topical solution
• Additional Benefits: Treats fleas, ticks, ear mites, and sarcoptic mange.

Stronghold

Stronghold is another topical solution that provides heartworm prevention along with protection against fleas and ticks. Similar to Revolution®, it is applied to the skin, offering a fuss-free alternative for puppies who dislike pills or chews. Stronghold contains selamectin, targeting heartworm larvae before they mature, while also addressing external parasites.

• Type: Topical solution
• Additional Benefits: Treats fleas, ticks, and ear mites.

See Article: 6 Ways to Prevent Heartworms in Your Dogs

When Should You Start Your Puppy on Heartworm Prevention?

According to the American Heartworm Society, puppies should begin heartworm prevention as soon as the product label permits, and no later than 8 weeks of age to avoid adult heartworms. Most puppies can start preventive treatment as soon as they come home, depending on their size, to ensure they are protected from this potentially deadly disease.

If you’ve adopted an older puppy (over 5 months old) who hasn’t been on heartworm prevention, or if there’s been a lapse of more than a month in protection, your veterinarian will likely recommend testing for an active infection before starting any preventive medications. This is important because administering heartworm preventatives to a dog with an active infection can cause severe reactions, including life-threatening complications from adult heartworms. Therefore, timely testing and prevention are essential for your puppy’s safety and well-being.

While this article focuses on puppies, it’s important to note that heartworm prevention remains crucial throughout a dog’s life. Learn about heartworm prevention for senior dogs to ensure lifelong protection

In summary, heartworm disease is a serious threat to your puppy’s health, but with the right preventive measures, it’s entirely avoidable. By starting your puppy on heartworm prevention as early as 6 to 8 weeks of age and maintaining a consistent monthly regimen, you provide the most effective protection against this potentially deadly parasite. By staying vigilant and proactive, you ensure your puppy grows up healthy, happy, and heartworm-free, giving them the best start in life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Puppies Get Heartworms Even in Cold Climates?

Yes, puppies can get heartworms even in cold climates. Heartworm disease can occur in any climate, in all 50 states, and throughout the year, making it crucial to keep your dog protected. This infection is caused by parasites transmitted through mosquito bites. Heartworms don’t discriminate by age, so young puppies are just as vulnerable as older dogs. Because of this, using a heartworm preventive is crucial and should be given monthly, just like flea and tick protection, to safeguard your puppy’s health.

Can heartworms be transmitted to unborn puppies?

Yes, heartworms can be transmitted to unborn puppies. A heartworm-positive female can pass microfilariae, the early life stage of heartworms, to her puppies while they are still in the womb, making them potential carriers of the disease. To protect against this, year-round heartworm prevention is recommended, though it’s important to note that some preventive products may not be safe for use during pregnancy.

Does My Puppy Need a Prescription for Heartworm Prevention?

Yes, heartworm prevention medication requires a prescription for purchase. Your puppy’s regular veterinarian can help you obtain the necessary prescription and guide you in choosing the most suitable heartworm prevention for your pet.

My Puppy Is Older Than Eight Weeks and Has Not Been on Heartworm Prevention. Does He Need a Heartworm Test First?

Yes! According to the American Heartworm Society, Puppies under 7 months old can begin heartworm prevention without needing a heartworm test since it takes at least 6 months for a dog to test positive after being infected. However, your puppy should be tested 6 months after starting prevention, again 6 months later, and then annually to ensure they remain heartworm-free.

See More Article:

• Do Senior Dogs Need Heartworm Medication?
• How to Care for a Dog During Heartworm Treatment

References:

• Lobetti, R., Brianti, E., Cassini, R., Calderini, P., Furlanello, T., Genchi, C., … Antognoni, L. (2021). Tick-borne pathogens in dogs living in different areas of Italy: Seroprevalence and risk factors. PLOS ONE, 16(8), e0255847. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0255847
• Hanelt, B., Pfanschmidt, J., Nijhof, A. M., Bauer, C., & Pfeffer, M. (2021). Efficacy of fluralaner (Bravecto® Plus spot-on for cats) against induced single and multiple infestations with Ctenocephalides felis and Ixodes scapularis on cats. Parasites & Vectors, 14, 684. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-021-05104-7
• American Heartworm Society. (n.d.). Heartworm basics. https://www.heartwormsociety.org/pet-owner-resources/heartworm-basics