Heartworm Disease Cases Expected To Rise
June of 2020 brought unusually high levels of rainfall to an already waterlogged South Florida. Consequently, urban flooding and standing waters provided ample breeding ground for mosquitoes. Our community has seen an uptick in cases of mosquito-borne West Nile Virus. And as more people and pets head outdoors to escape Covid-induced cabin fever, we can expect to see an increase in heartworm disease as well.
Heartworm disease is carried by mosquitoes and infects both dogs and cats. While we can do our part to control mosquito populations by dumping the standing water in which they breed, our neighbors might not be as diligent. For this reason, it is imperative to keep both dogs and cats on monthly heartworm prevention. While many pet owners feel that pets who do not go outside often (or ever in the case of indoor cats), mosquitoes will often enter the house as humans come and go. A single bite from an infected mosquito is all that is necessary to transmit the disease to our furry family members. The treatment for canine heartworm disease is very expensive with potentially dangerous side effects. There is no treatment for feline heartworm disease. In both species, the disease is usually fatal if left untreated.
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