Think heartworm disease is only a worry during the summer months? Or that your indoor cat or dog is safe from it? You’re not alone. Every year, pet owners in Shoreview and beyond make assumptions about heartworm disease—some harmless, others potentially dangerous. Read on to help you separate the facts from fiction to protect your furry friend.
What Exactly Is Heartworm Disease?
The parasitic worm Dirofilaria immitis, spread by mosquito bites, causes heartworm disease, a grave ailment that results in adult worms establishing themselves within a pet’s heart, lungs, and blood vessels.
Dogs are the primary hosts, and the worms can grow and reproduce easily, leading to lung disease, heart failure, and long-term organ damage. Cats are less commonly infected, but even a few worms—or immature ones—can cause severe respiratory issues. Unlike in dogs, there is no approved treatment for heartworm disease in cats.
Symptoms may not show until the disease is advanced, which is why year-round prevention and annual testing are important—even for indoor pets. One mosquito bite is all it takes to put your pet at risk.
Busting the Biggest Myths About Heartworm
There’s a lot of well-meaning but inaccurate advice floating around about heartworm disease. These myths can put pets at risk if they lead to inconsistent prevention or delayed veterinary care. Let’s break down a few of the most common misconceptions and set the record straight:
Myth 1: “My pet stays indoors, so they’re safe.”
While it’s true that indoor pets are less exposed to mosquitoes, they’re not completely protected. Mosquitoes can easily enter homes through doors, windows, and vents—or even hitch a ride on clothing or pets that go outdoors. Since it only takes one mosquito bite to transmit heartworm larvae, even pets who rarely go outside are still at risk. Consistent prevention is the only way to ensure year-round protection.
Myth 2: “We only need heartworm prevention in the summer.”
In Minnesota, mosquito season starts as early as March and can stretch well into the fall. Some mosquitoes even survive indoors through the winter, especially in warm garages or basements. Heartworm preventatives work by eliminating larvae from the previous month, so skipping a dose—even in colder months—can leave a gap in protection. That’s why veterinarians recommend prevention all year long, regardless of the weather.
Myth 3: “Heartworm disease isn’t that serious.”
Heartworm disease can be extremely serious and even life-threatening. In dogs, it can cause long-term damage to the heart, lungs, and blood vessels, even after treatment. In cats, a smaller number of worms—or even immature worms—can cause severe respiratory distress, vomiting, or sudden collapse. Because symptoms often appear late, and there’s no treatment for cats, prevention is by far the safest approach.
Myth 4: “If my pet gets it, we can just treat it.”
While heartworm treatment is possible for dogs, it’s lengthy, expensive, and hard on the body. It involves months of medication, injections, limited activity, and close monitoring. There is no approved treatment for cats, which makes prevention the only option. Skipping monthly prevention in hopes of an easy fix later can lead to serious health risks—and higher costs in the long run.
These myths persist because heartworm symptoms often develop slowly, and infected pets may appear healthy for months. But the long-term consequences can be devastating. By understanding the facts, you can take proactive steps to keep your pet safe and avoid the emotional and financial burden of heartworm disease.
Prevention Is Simple and So Important
Preventing heartworm disease is far easier, safer, and more affordable than treating it—especially since treatment for dogs is difficult and costly, and there’s no cure for cats. Prevention works by eliminating heartworm larvae before they mature and cause harm, which is why consistency is key.
In Minnesota, mosquitoes can be active from early spring through late fall—and some survive indoors during winter. Since heartworm medications work on larvae from the previous month, year-round prevention is the only way to ensure your pet stays fully protected.
Prevention options include monthly oral chews, topical treatments, or long-lasting injections for dogs. Cats can also be protected with topical or select oral medications. Our veterinarian will recommend the best product based on your pet’s age, species, and lifestyle.
Prevention is not only effective—it’s convenient. You can order safe, vet-recommended products directly through the Minnesota Veterinary Hospital online pharmacy, making it easy to stay on track.
Protecting your pet takes just a few seconds each month but offers a lifetime of peace of mind.
Is Heartworm Really a Problem in Shoreview, MN?
Heartworm disease isn’t just a southern issue—it’s a real concern in Shoreview, MN. Mosquitoes are active here from spring through fall and can survive indoors during colder months. Just one bite from an infected mosquito can transmit heartworm, even to pets who mostly stay indoors.
Minnesota Veterinary Hospital regularly diagnoses local heartworm cases, and with increased pet travel and adoptions from high-risk areas, the threat continues to grow. That’s why year-round prevention and annual testing are important to keeping your pet safe and healthy—right here at home.
What Does Minnesota Veterinary Hospital Recommend?
Our team at Minnesota Veterinary Hospital makes heartworm prevention simple and stress-free. Their recommendations include:
- Keep all dogs and cats on heartworm prevention year-round
- Schedule annual heartworm tests for dogs (and as advised for cats)
- Work with your vet to choose the right preventative based on your pet’s age, breed, health, and lifestyle
- Stay consistent—missing even one dose can leave your pet vulnerable
You can conveniently order prevention products, including monthly chewables and long-lasting injections, through the hospital’s online pharmacy.
With just one monthly dose and a yearly test, you can help protect your pet from a preventable disease—easily and effectively.
Keep Their Heart Safe and Their Tail Wagging
Heartworm disease may sound scary—and it is—but with the right prevention, it’s completely avoidable. The most important thing you can do is stay consistent and informed. If you’re ever unsure about whether your pet is protected, our team at Minnesota Veterinary Hospital in Shoreview is just a call away at (651) 484-3331.
Let’s work together to keep your pet healthy, happy, and heartworm-free.
Image credit: Envato