Misunderstanding 1: Only dogs can be infected with heartworm.
Dogs may be the most susceptible companion animals to heartworm infection, but cats and ferrets are equally susceptible.
Adult heartworms can also develop in cats, but more commonly, the cat's heartworms die before they are fully mature. There is no known drug treatment program that can safely treat heartworm in cats, so prevention is the best way to stay healthy.
Misunderstanding 2: There is no risk of heartworm infection for pets living indoors.
Don't assume that your pet is protected because it is not outdoors. Disease-carrying mosquitoes can easily enter the home to spread heartworm disease.
About a quarter of the cats diagnosed with heartworm are indoor cats.
Take the dog outdoors to defecate or walk. An infected mosquito can infect your pet with one bite.
Misunderstanding 3: You only need to worry about heartworm disease in summer.
It is true that mosquitoes move more frequently and in greater numbers in warm weather, but the "mosquito epidemic season" may fluctuate from region to region, and even fluctuate from one year to the next.
Misunderstanding 4: In a dry climate, pets will not be infected with heartworm disease.
Heartworm cases have been reported in all 50 states in the United States. Mosquitoes are very adaptable, even in the dry season, they will find a place to breed.
Misunderstanding 5: Heartworm disease is not a fatal disease.
Heartworm can cause inflammation, which can cause permanent damage to the blood vessels in the lungs. In addition to the risk of death, heartworm can also affect the quality of life of animals and cause debilitating clinical symptoms. Even after treatment, these symptoms may improve, but they may not be resolved.
