In discussing prevention, our strategy has been to provide a Heartgard Plus, monthly chewable treat that contains a drug that effectively kills any Heartworm larva that may have been injected by a mosquito. But clients often report that they have forgotten to give a dose (or two or three) during the preceding six months or year. This reduces the effectiveness of the preventative treatment. There is an alternative that is gaining popularity for prevention of Heartworm disease

With the recent storms, there is a huge increase in the mosquito population in the East Valley, especially Chandler and Gilbert. I (Dr. Tenney) know this first-hand as one morning this past week I ventured out into my back yard in the early dawn hours. In less the 15 seconds, I was under a full-blown assault by mosquitoes. Many of you realize that mosquitoes are required for the transmission heartworm disease. Stagnant pools or water are breeding grounds for mosquitoes. There

Heartworm is contracted when a mosquito feeds on your pet after feeding on a pet that is infected. Over a period of a few months, the parasite grows and enters the bloodstream. Eventually, the adult worms live in the blood vessels on the right side of the heart. As adults, the worms can reach 12 inches in length. Symptoms There is a difference between a dog being infected with heartworms and a dog suffering from heartworm disease. Here is a link to a useful website that discu

This year has been the worst year on record for Oasis Animal Hospital patients being diagnosed with heartworm disease. One recent case motivated me to notify our clients again of the importance of testing and prevention. Previously thought to be of low risk in this area, we have seen a dramatic increase in heartworm disease over the past few months. Now Bandit faces a treatment protocol that is both risky and expensive. I am committed to communicating with as many of our clie

There are now a number of ads on tv and the internet about getting your pets medication online. One of the biggest products is heartworm preventative. The product we recommend here at Oasis is Heartgard Plus, made by Merial. It is a monthly chewable treat that contains: Ivermectin- the heartworm preventative and Pyrantel Pamoate- a dewormer for hookworms and roundworms. This drug combination has been on the market for many years and there are other “generic” products that are

Chandler, Gilbert, Queen Creek and Mesa are areas in the Valley with the highest incidence of heartworm infection. The long-term risks for dogs with heartworm disease are very great. But it is nearly 100% preventable. Heartworm testing We generally perform the Heartworm test “in-house” with results in as little as 10 minutes. The cost for this test is $25.25. Why do I need to test if my dog has been on Heartworm prevention? This is a common question. An  understanding of the