logologologo
Find Your Location Customer Login Own A Franchise 800-908-7076
  • Mosquito Control
    • Residential Mosquito Control
    • Commercial & Municipal Mosquito Control
    • Special Events
  • Tick and Perimeter Pest Control
    • Residential Tick Control
    • Perimeter Pest Control
  • How Mosquito Shield Works
    • How Mosquito Shield Works
    • Professional Mosquito Control Product Info
    • About Us
    • Mosquito Shield Reviews & Customer Testimonials
    • Blog
  • Mosquito Control Services
  • Locations
  • FAQ
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Mosquito FAQs & Facts
    • Tick FAQs & Facts
    • Diseases Spread by Insects
      • West Nile Virus
      • Heartworm
      • Encephalitis
      • Lyme Disease
  • Contact Us
  • Mosquito Control
    • Residential Mosquito Control
    • Commercial & Municipal Mosquito Control
    • Special Events
  • Tick and Perimeter Pest Control
    • Residential Tick Control
    • Perimeter Pest Control
  • How Mosquito Shield Works
    • How Mosquito Shield Works
    • Professional Mosquito Control Product Info
    • About Us
    • Mosquito Shield Reviews & Customer Testimonials
    • Blog
  • Mosquito Control Services
  • Locations
  • FAQ
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Mosquito FAQs & Facts
    • Tick FAQs & Facts
    • Diseases Spread by Insects
      • West Nile Virus
      • Heartworm
      • Encephalitis
      • Lyme Disease
  • Contact Us
Customer Login Find Your Location 800-908-7076

Find your nearest location by entering your ZIP code here:

Home » Frequently Asked Questions About How Mosquito Shield Works » Heartworm

HEARTWORM

Get the Heartworm Facts

Heartworm is a parasitic roundworm (Dirofilaria immitis) that infects dogs and other animals. Below are some of our most frequently asked questions and basic heartworm facts that will help keep your family and pets healthy.

Symptoms

Many dogs, particularly sedentary ones, will exhibit no signs of infection. Others will develop a cough, particularly upon exertion, and may tire easily. Animals with severe infestations may cough up blood, lose significant amounts of weight, pass out, and eventually develop congestive heart failure.

Diagnosis

In some cases, a blood test can detect the presence of heartworm if the infection has reached the stage where symptoms are present (usually 6-8 months after the initiating mosquito bite). In some cases, x-rays may be ordered to determine the extent of the damage caused by the infection.

Treatment

Medications are available to treat the infection, however, these can be harsh. During treatment and for an extended time thereafter, the animal will be required to rest in order to allow the dead worms to be absorbed into the system. Dead worms that break off prematurely can be carried to the lungs where they can cause damage. On rare occasions, surgery is suggested.

Prevention

Due to the potential severity of both the disease and its treatment, prevention is a step all dog owners across the contiguous U.S. should practice. Concerned owners should consult with their veterinarian on preventive medication. Since mosquitoes are the transmitters of heartworm, mosquito control is another important step pet owners can take in preventing infection.

Own A Franchise | Blog | Privacy Policy | Sitemap

All content is copyright©, Mosquito Shield. All Rights Reserved.

By submitting my information to Mosquito Shield I agree by electronic signature to: (1) be contacted about mosquito control and other services or mosquito control and other services marketing by a live agent, artificial or prerecorded voice and SMS text at my residential or cellular number, dialed manually or by autodialer, and by email (consent to be contacted is not a condition to purchase services); and (2) the Privacy Policy.

Thanks for contacting us. We will be in touch with you shortly!