Heartworm Awareness: What Every Dog Owner Should Know
At Wagland Kennel, the health and safety of every dog in our care is our top priority. That’s why, during Heartworm Awareness Month, we’re taking time to educate our pet parents about this serious but completely preventable disease—and to remind you how critical year-round protection is, even beyond April.
What Is Heartworm Disease?
Heartworm disease is a potentially deadly condition caused by Dirofilaria immitis, a parasitic worm transmitted by mosquitoes. Once bitten by an infected mosquito, heartworm larvae enter your dog’s bloodstream and begin a damaging life cycle that targets the heart, lungs, and surrounding blood vessels. Over time, the infestation can lead to:
Coughing and fatigue
Organ damage
Heart failure
And, in severe cases, death
Worse yet, many dogs show no symptoms until the infection is advanced—making prevention all the more important.
Why Prevention Matters (All Year Long)
More than 1 million pets in the U.S. are infected with heartworms, and the numbers are growing. While it was once more common in southern regions, heartworm is now found across the country, including areas that used to be considered low-risk.
At our own local shelter, it’s not uncommon to see several dogs diagnosed with heartworms at any given time. And because mosquitoes are already active this spring, the risk is only rising.
The good news? Heartworm is 100% preventable with the right care. A simple monthly medication—often in chewable form—can stop heartworms before they start. Many preventatives also protect against other parasites like fleas, ticks, roundworms, and hookworms.
What About Indoor Dogs?
Heartworm prevention isn’t just for outdoor pets. Mosquitoes can get indoors, and even dogs who rarely go outside are still at risk. That's why year-round prevention is recommended by the American Heartworm Society and veterinarians nationwide.
How It Spreads
Heartworm is not transmitted directly from dog to dog or dog to human. Instead, it depends on a mosquito to act as the carrier. Here’s a quick breakdown of how it works:
A mosquito bites an infected animal (like a dog, fox, or coyote).
It picks up heartworm larvae from the infected blood.
When that mosquito bites another animal, it transfers the larvae.
The larvae mature in the host’s bloodstream over several months, eventually developing into adult heartworms that reproduce and spread further damage.
Adult heartworms can live 5–7 years in a dog’s body. That means each mosquito season compounds the threat, especially if left untreated.
The Cost of Treatment vs. Prevention
Heartworm treatment is not only risky and stressful for the dog—it’s expensive. Diagnosing and treating heartworm disease can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars, and recovery requires months of strict rest and monitoring.
By comparison, prevention costs just a few dollars per month and ensures peace of mind for both you and your pup.
Vaccines and Medications We Recommend for Boarding
At Wagland Kennel, we require that all boarding guests have current rabies vaccination and bordetella on file. We also strongly recommend the following for your dog’s health and for the safety of our kennel community:
Year-round flea, tick, and heartworm prevention
DA2PP (Distemper, Adenovirus, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza)
Leptospirosis – common in areas with standing water and wildlife
Canine Influenza – a growing concern for dogs in social settings
Lyme Disease – especially in regions prone to ticks
Need help figuring out what’s due? We always encourage pet parents to check with their veterinarian. We’ve also included a helpful vaccine schedule [insert image or link] for reference.
