At Vetlove, we recommend all dogs in their local area that have not been on any regular heartworm prevention be tested for heartworm.
If your dog has not been on regular prevention, has missed a few months or you are unsure, it is best to have your dog tested before starting or recommencing any heartworm prevention.
Dogs can become ill if an inappropriate prevention is given. Since the Queensland floods in 2011, mosquito numbers have increased, with over 60 species, making mosquito-borne diseases, including heartworm, a regional concern.
A single mosquito bite is all it takes to infect a dog that is not on adequate heartworm prevention, even if they never have contact with other dogs.
Heartworm disease is serious and potentially fatal.
For professional advice about heartworm disease, please contact our clinic to discuss a free heartworm test and the best types of prevention available.