The veterinarian team at Huntsville Animal Clinic in Huntsville, AL, are heartworm prevention and treatment experts. Our knowledgeable vet provides the latest technologies and treatments to ensure your pet receives the high-quality care it deserves. Our animal hospital takes heartworm infection seriously. We commit ourselves to getting your pet back to ultimate health and well-being.
Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal disease caused by foot-long heartworms that thrive in the animal’s heart, lungs, and blood vessels. The disease often leads to critical lung disease, damage to major organs, and heart failure. Heartworm disease can affect many mammals and is transmitted primarily through mosquito bites. The disease is preventable, but extremely difficult and painful to eliminate once infected.
Heartworm Symptoms
Heartworm disease symptoms must be monitored. If you suspect your pet may have this disease, schedule an appointment with your vet. The following are several symptoms of a heartworm problem in your pet:
- Easily fatigued
- Loss of appetite or weight loss
- Sluggishness
- Appearing sickly
- Difficulty breathing
- Collapse
- Cough
- Bulging chest
Heartworm Prevention
Heartworm prevention is critical to responsible pet ownership, especially for dogs, as they are the primary host for heartworms. Heartworm preventatives are safe, affordable, and easy to administer. Since the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates this medication, you will need a prescription from a licensed veterinarian to obtain it. Prevention is always the best choice.
Veterinarian Heartworm Treatment
Heartworm treatment is the step you must take if your pet is infected. The treatment can be expensive and challenging, since your pet will need constant monitoring during months of restricted movement, and the treatment itself is unpleasant. No pet deserves to suffer this disease, especially when it is preventable in the first place. The following are steps toward treatment for a heartworm infection:
- Chest x-rays
- Diagnostic testing and lab work
- Exercise restriction
- Hospitalization
- Medications and multiple injections
- Continuing exercise restriction
Contact Huntsville Animal Clinic for Heartworm Prevention and Treatment
At Huntsville Animal Clinic, our veterinarian team provides the highest quality heartworm preventatives and treatment therapies. We are committed to eradicating and preventing this terrible disease to the best of our ability.
Our animal hospital is the leading vet care provider in Huntsville and the metro area. You can trust our experience and skills to restore your pet to stellar health and active lifestyle. Call our friendly office staff at (256) 534-5581 or use our online appointment request form to schedule your pet’s appointment.