Heartworm Life Cycle:

*A mosquito stops for a meal on a heartworm positive dog and ingests the microfilariae that are swimming around in the infected dogs blood. These microfilariae then develop into infective larvae inside the mosquito.

*The infective larvae then migrate to that mosquito’s mouth parts and when the mosquito inserts its mouth  part into another dog for a meal the infective larvae are transferred into that dog.

*The larvae then molt and travel to the dog’s heart where they mature into adult worms.

*The adult worms reproduce and the female gives birth to microfilariae that travel through the blood stream waiting to be ingested by another mosquito.  The cycle then begins again. 

Prevention Is The Key

Wisconsin is swarming with mosquitoes so prevention is very important. Preventing heartworm disease in your dog is simple.  Heartgard is a soft chewable method of heartworm prevention that is administered by mouth once a month.  Most dogs think their Heartgard is a tasty treat and it also prevents some intestinal parasites (worms) that can be passed on to you. We also carry the topical heartworm preventative Revolution that is applied to the skin once a month.  Revolution also protects against fleas and ear mites. So schedule your appointment today to have your dog tested for heartworms and get started on preventative before those pesky mosquitoes come out to feast.