To pet owners who find themselves free of bug bites in the winter, the recommendation to administer heartworm preventives year-round may seem unnecessary. You don’t put on bug spray in the dead of winter, so why is your veterinarian asking you to give parasite preventives?
The active seasons and geographic ranges of mosquitoes are changing
Summers are becoming longer while winter, spring and fall are becoming shorter. As climate change occurs, mosquitoes are beginning to expand their ranges and active seasons. Because heartworms have been diagnosed in all 50 states and in all seasons of the year, the American Heartworm Association recommends year-round prevention.
Urban “heat islands” extend the transmission season of heartworms
Most of the U.S. population (over 80%) live in cities or urban areas. Daytime heat retained in buildings and parking lots can create microclimates where mosquitoes can continue to spread heartworms much later into the cold season than you would expect.
Heartworm prevention protects your young dog from other parasites, too
Most heartworm preventives aren’t only effective against heartworms but also protect your dog from intestinal parasites, which are active year-round. In fact, roundworm and whipworm prevalence may even peak in the winter! Some preventives also protect your young dog from fleas, which can live indoors and have an expanding active season.
Lapsing on prevention isn’t safe or cost-effective
Missing your pet’s heartworm prevention for one month can result in a heartworm infestation, which can lead to permanent heart and lung damage or be fatal if untreated. The treatment for heartworms in dogs is often over $1,000, much more than the cost of keeping your dog on heartworm medications for the winter months.
Protect your puppy with year-round, veterinary-recommended heartworm prevention!
Find peace of mind with effective parasite preventives.
