At Hamilton Road Animal Hospital we offer a wide selection of veterinary services. Among these services is heartworm prevention. Heartworms are a common and serious health problem for dogs. They are also found in cats, but not nearly as often. Dogs should receive preventative heartworm medication, even if they do not show any symptoms. If you are a new pet owner or new to the Columbus area, our team is here to recommend a treatment plan to keep your pets healthy and safe.
Preventing Heartworm in Dogs
Heartworms can damage the heart, lungs, and other organs in your pet. Heartworms are spread by mosquitoes, so they are a problem wherever mosquitoes are found. Since mosquitoes are common in the Columbus area during the warmer months, heartworms are a serious health risk for all dogs in the area. This is where heartworm preventatives come in.
Most of the heartworm preventive medications today are designed to be tasty for dogs so they will willingly eat it. If your dog will not willingly take the medication, you can always mix it up with some food. Heartworm preventatives are for canines who do not have an active heartworm infestation. Dogs who currently have heartworms will need to be treated with different medications.
Heartworm Treatment
If your pet has heartworms, rest assured that we can treat it effectively. Symptoms of heartworm disease may include fatigue, coughing, and a decreased appetite. If your dog has any of these symptoms, bring him in and we will test him for heartworms. If the test is positive, we will start your pet on several types of medications to clear up the heartworm infestation. We will begin preventative heartworm treatment while we are treating the active infection. How long this will take depends on the severity of the infestation.
Heartworm Prevention & Treatment in Columbus, OH
If your dog is not receiving the preventative heartworm treatment that it needs, we can help. Our veterinarians can prescribe safe and effective preventive medication that will help keep your pet safe from heartworms. We can also treat your pet if it already has heartworms.
At Hamilton Road Animal Hospital, we understand the importance of the health and safety of your pet. Heartworm prevention is just one of the many services that we provide to keep your pets happy and healthy for years to come. If you would like to learn more about our heartworm prevention and treatment services, contact us through our website or call us today at (614) 239-0027 to speak with one of our staff members.
