Site Accessibility Features: Skip to page menus
Site Menus:Skip to page content
Veterinarians Shreveport, Louisiana | Ellerbe Road Animal Hospital
Phone Number: 318-865-5001 Email: ellerberoad1996@gmail.com
Site Content: Skip to page footer
Heartworm Prevention
When they bite, mosquitoes can transmit heartworm infection. And those heartworms can wreak havoc on your dog or cat. These parasites can severely and sometimes fatally damage the heart, lungs, and blood vessels. Some pets may not show any signs of infection; in those that do, symptoms can vary widely.
In dogs, signs of heartworm disease can range from coughing, fatigue, and weight loss to difficulty breathing and a swollen abdomen (caused by fluid accumulation from heart failure). Canine heartworm infection can also lead to a life-threatening complication called “caval syndrome” (a form of liver failure); without prompt surgical intervention, this condition usually causes death.
Although often thought to not be susceptible to heartworm infection, cats can indeed get heartworms. Cats can suffer from a syndrome referred to as heartworm-associated respiratory disease (HARD); the symptoms can be subtle and may mimic those of asthma or allergic bronchitis. Signs of respiratory distress, such as rapid or difficult breathing, wheezing, and panting, are common. Other symptoms include coughing, vomiting (typically unrelated to eating), and loss of appetite or weight. Heartworm infection is more difficult to diagnose in cats than it is in dogs.
Treatment for heartworm infection is far more expensive than prevention—and it can actually kill your dog. There is no approved treatment for cats. Some cats spontaneously rid themselves of the infection; others might not survive it. And even one or two adult heartworms in a cat can cause serious problems.
Fortunately, there’s an easy way to keep your dog or cat safe: by administering monthly heartworm preventives. Most heartworm medications also protect your pet against other parasites, such as roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, ear mites, fleas, and ticks. We can recommend the best regimen of prevention for your pet.
Site Sidebar: Skip to end of sidebar
Share
Saturday/Sunday Pick up and Drop off for boarding 2:45pm-3:00pm For after hour emergencies please call the Animal Emergency Clinic at (318) 227-2345
Exceptional Pet Care in Shreveport, Louisiana!
Nextdoor Neighborhood Favorite 2019 and 2020
Check out our practice to see where we treat your pet! Ellerbe Road Animal Hospital
9115 Ellerbe Road
Shreveport, Louisiana 71106
Phone: 318-865-5001
Fax: 318-865-5076
Click HereSite Footer: Skip to top of page
© Copyright 2025 ePet Websites | Powered by WebDVM