April is national heartworm disease awareness month. I wanted to bring it to everyone's attention that heartworm disease in Kentucky is a very real problem. This state is endemic for canine heartworm disease. Yearly testing and monthly prevention for your canine friends is imperative. We are starting to learn more about feline heartworm disease also. Cats contract heartworm disease from infected mosquitoes like our dog friends but they manifest the disease much differently. With cats, it is more difficult to detect heartworm disease and treatment is not available. The only tool we have for felines is a monthly preventative. There are 2 topical preventative medications on the market today including Revolution and Advantage Multi that will protect cats from getting heartworm disease. Indoor cats are at just as much of a risk as well.
Dogs and cats need to be receiving monthly heartworm prevention year round. This state does not get cold enough to kill all stages of mosquitoes therefore year round protection is highly recommended. We recommend you obtain your heartworm protection from your veterinarian. I know in these times it's very inviting to use an online pharmacy to obtain your heartworm prevention, but the product will have no guarantee unless it is sold by a veterinarian. The guarantee means that if your pet has been on heartworm prevention year round and happens to contract heartworm disease (no medicine is 100% effective) the company will accept liability and pay for the treatment which can range from $1000-$1500. The price for prevention obviously outweighs the cost and pain associated with the treatment.
Call with any questions you may have.
Dr. Garrity
The Downtown Animal Hospital
502-585-1010
April is national heartworm disease awareness month. I wanted to bring it to everyone's attention that heartworm disease in Kentucky is a very real problem. This state is endemic for canine heartworm disease. Yearly testing and monthly prevention for your canine friends is imperative. We are starting to learn more about feline heartworm disease also. Cats contract heartworm disease from infected mosquitoes like our dog friends but they manifest the disease much differently. With cats, it is more difficult to detect heartworm disease and treatment is not available. The only tool we have for felines is a monthly preventative. There are 2 topical preventative medications on the market today including Revolution and Advantage Multi that will protect cats from getting heartworm disease. Indoor cats are at just as much of a risk as well. 
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Dr. G