How To Prevent Heartworm Disease in Puppies

Heartworm disease in dogs is a serious and dangerous condition that can silently invade your puppy’s bloodstream, leading to severe damage to their heart and lungs. This parasitic infection, caused by heartworms, is difficult, dangerous, and costly to treat, making prevention crucial.

While heartworm disease is on the rise across the United States, the good news is that it’s entirely preventable with the right heartworm prevention for dogs. Starting your puppy on heartworm prevention early and continuing it for their entire life is the key to keeping them safe, healthy, and free from this life-threatening infection. In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about protecting your puppy from heartworm disease, ensuring their heart and lungs stay strong and healthy.

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.

What Is Heartworm Disease in Puppies?

Heartworm disease is a serious condition caused by the parasite Dirofilaria immitis, primarily affecting dogs, though it can also impact other animals like cats, ferrets, and sea lions. The disease is transmitted through mosquito bites, which pick up microscopic larvae, known as microfilariae, from an infected animal and pass them on to new hosts.

Once inside a new host, these larvae mature over 5–7 months, growing into worms that can reach up to a foot in length. These worms settle in the major blood vessels of the heart and lungs, where they can cause significant health issues. Adult female heartworms produce more microfilariae, which can be spread to other animals through mosquito bites.

Even though visible symptoms of heartworm disease are uncommon in young puppies due to the time it takes for the worms to mature, puppies can be infected at any age with just one mosquito bite. Mosquitoes can be found indoors as well, putting even indoor-only puppies at risk. If puppies are not started on preventive medications early, they may develop life-threatening infections by the time they are 7–8 months old.

Once a heartworm matures, it can severely impact a puppy’s heart and lung function. Treating heartworm disease is costly and comes with significant risks, including the potential for life-threatening side effects from both the medication and the death of the worms and microfilariae. Puppies undergoing treatment may experience severe allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis, and blood clots can form, leading to organ or brain damage.

Veterinarians may use additional medications like steroids to help manage these complications, but preventing heartworm infection through regular preventive care is the safest and most effective approach to protect your puppy’s health.

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.

Symptoms of Heartworm Disease in Puppies

Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially deadly condition that primarily affects the heart and lungs, the symptoms are mostly related to the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Common signs include a persistent, soft cough and fatigue. As the disease progresses, more severe symptoms may develop, such as shortness of breath, a worsening cough after physical activity, and a general unwillingness to be active. You may also notice a decrease in appetite, weight loss, and lethargy.

In advanced cases, heartworm disease can cause significant heart damage, leading to fluid buildup in the chest or abdomen, and in severe instances, even coughing up blood or collapse. While these extreme symptoms are typically seen in severe infections, they can occasionally be observed in young puppies.

One of the most concerning aspects of heartworm disease is that it can be difficult to detect in its early stages. Many dogs, including puppies, may appear perfectly healthy despite being infected. Heartworms can live inside a dog’s body for up to five years, slowly causing damage over time. Unfortunately, by the time visible symptoms emerge, the disease may have already progressed significantly.

The American Heartworm Society recommends that all puppies and dogs over 7 months old be tested for heartworm disease at least once a year to catch infections early and prevent the potentially fatal consequences of this parasitic infection.

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.

1. Heartgard®: is a chewable preventative.
2. Simparica Trio™: is a chewable tablet that also treats fleas and ticks.
3. Revolution®: is a topical solution that also treats fleas and ticks.
4. Stronghold: is a topical preventative that also treats fleas and ticks.

Discover more options and tips for preventing heartworm in dogs throughout their lives: https://anipetshop.com/dog-care/heartworm-prevention-for-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

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Conclusion

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.

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