Mosquitos and Heartworm Disease 

Heartworm disease has been diagnosed in all 50 states, and risk factors are impossible to predict. Multiple variables, from climate variations to the presence of wildlife carriers, cause rates of infections to vary dramatically from year to year. And because infected mosquitoes can come inside, both outdoor and indoor pets are at risk.

For that reason, the American Heartworm Society recommends that you: 

1. Get your pet tested every 12 months for heartworm and,  

2. Give your pet heartworm preventive 12 months a year.

All approved heartworm medications work by eliminating the immature stages of the heartworm parasite. This includes the infective heartworm larvae deposited by the mosquito as well as the following larval stage that develops inside the animal. Unfortunately, in as little as 51 days, immature heartworm larvae can molt into an adult stage, which cannot be effectively eliminated by preventives. Because heartworms must be eliminated before they reach this adult stage, it is extremely important that heartworm preventives be administered on schedule. Administering prevention late can allow immature larvae to molt into the adult stage, which is poorly prevented.

 Puppies should be started on heartworm prevention as early as 8 weeks of age, as the risk of getting heartworm disease is equal to that of adult pets.  Because the dosage of the medication comes from body weight, and not age; puppies may need to be only given 1 or 2 months at a time to ensure they are protected in case they bump up to the next dosage level.  

Also, make sure to bring your pet in for every scheduled well-pet exam, so that you stay on top of all health issues, including heartworm protection. Confirm that you are giving the right heartworm preventive dosage by having your pet weighed at every visit. The doses used for prevention are microdoses compared to the treatment dose once it gets into the heart. Consequently, appropriate prevention products are safe, effective, and help to protect your pet from a deadly disease. Additionally, most prevention products also include protection from some intestinal parasites, which can help protect your family as well.

Only heartworm prevention products that are tested and proven effective by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) should be used.

*see below for recommended products.   

Fleas

Fleas can carry and transmit several potential illnesses of importance to humans, including typhus and plague, and can transmit “cat scratch disease” (infection with Bartonella) among cats who can then spread the disease to humans. Additionally, fleas serve as an intermediate host for tapeworms, which can infect your pet and occasionally humans. 

Signs of flea problems in your pets can range from mild to severe scratching, open sores, or skin infections. It is common for pets to develop an allergy to fleas, and only 1-2 bites can cause severe itching, and a secondary skin infection. Additionally, pets can develop tapeworms from ingested fleas, an internal parasite that can take nutrients from the small intestine.. 

One visible sign on a pet with fleas is “flea dirt”—the black flea droppings left on your pet’s coat. Even if you don't see fleas themselves, flea dirt is a sure indicator there are fleas in the environment. Fleas bite animals and suck their blood so young or small pets with heavy flea infestations may become anemic. In areas with moderate to severe flea infestations, people may also be bitten by fleas.

Fleas are most active when it is hot and humid (optimal is between 70-85 degrees and 70% humidity). They are about the size of a sesame seed and dark brown in color.  Once the adult female flea gets on your pet and takes a blood meal, they can lay up to 40 eggs every day.  These are the size of a sand grain,  and thus very difficult to detect. These eggs can fall off into the environment where your pet lives.  They can take anywhere from 2 days to 2 weeks to hatch depending on the environment.  They then enter into the larval stage. These larva develop over several weeks and make a cocoon, which is the last stage before an adult flea emerges. 

Why is it important to understand the flea life cycle?  Because once you have an infestation, ALL life stages in the environment must be eradicated.  

This involves several measures including: 

• A Flea adulticide (kills the adult flea) on your pet with continual action for any new fleas that get on the pet.  Recommend minimum of 3 months treatment. 

• Vacuum regularly for several weeks and seal and remove vacuum bags after each session 

•  Wash bedding and toys with hot soapy water. 

Consult your veterinarian for the best ways to protect your pets and family from fleas!   

Ticks

Ticks can spread serious and sometimes deadly diseases to both animals and people. These diseases include Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, relapsing fever, ehrlichiosis, tularemia and tick paralysis. It is important for the health of your pet, as well as the safety of your family, to include ticks in your pet’s year-round parasite control program.

Ticks are commonly found in wooded areas, areas with shrubs, or tall grassy areas.  They can be active above temperatures of 45 degrees Fahrenheit.  They do not usually die in the cold of winter, but rather become “inactive” in colder temperatures. 

Ticks are most often found around your dog’s neck, in the ears, in the folds between the legs and the body, and between the toes, but they can be found anywhere on the body and are usually easily seen or felt. Cats may have ticks on their neck or face. Tick bites can cause skin irritation and heavy infestations can cause anemia in pets.   Ticks need to be removed as soon as possible, before it has the chance to spread any disease it may be carrying.  How you remove a tick is also important to help prevent transmission of disease.  This includes firmly gripping the tick as close to the skin as possible with tweezers, then pulling firmly away (without twisting or crushing) til the tick is extracted.  Cleanse the wound immediately with soap and water or Hibiclens, and apply an over the counter triple antibiotic ointment,  and monitor for healing. The CDC recommends disposing of ticks by flushing down the toilet, or place them in a bag with alcohol (to take to your veterinarian and aid in identification if needed).  

Best Practices for Protection and Prevention

In the United States, diseases spread by mosquito, flea and tick bites tripled from 2004 to 2016, federal health officials report. During that time, there were more than 640,000 cases of vector-borne diseases.

Being proactive about flea, tick and heartworm control is the best practice for protecting our pets and us from these parasites. There are many safe and effective treatments that range from oral chewable tablets to some topical treatments. Check with your veterinarian for what may be the best fit for your pet and lifestyle.  An over the counter product does NOT mean a safer product, so always check with your veterinarian before purchasing. Additionally, always check before applying any spot on products, especially if your dog or cat is very young, old, pregnant, or nursing. 

Also, keep these tips in mind:  

• Only purchase EPA-registered pesticides or FDA-approved medicines.

• Read the entire label before you use/apply the product.

• Always follow label directions! Apply or give the product as and when directed. Never apply more or less than the recommended dose.

• Cats are not small dogs. Products labeled for use only for dogs should only be used for dogs, and NEVER for cats. 

• Make sure that the weight range listed on the label is correct for your pet because weight matters. Giving a smaller dog a dose designed for a larger dog could harm your pet.

One pet may react differently to a product than another pet. When using these products, monitor your pet for any signs of an adverse reaction, including anxiousness, excessive itching or scratching, skin redness or swelling, vomiting, or any abnormal behavior. If you see any of these signs, contact your veterinarian. And most importantly, report these incidents to your veterinarian and the manufacturer of the product so adverse event reports can be filed.

Recommended Products for Heartworm Protection

Dogs

Monthly oral chewable heartworm and intestinal parasite
Heartgard® PLUS Dog Chews
Interceptor® Plus Dog Chewable Tablets

For one month protection for fleas and ticks
NexGard® Chewables for Dogs

For three month protection with one chewable for fleas and ticks
Bravecto® Chews for Dogs

Cats

Oral monthly chewable for heartworms and intestinal parasite protection
Heartgard® Cat Chewables

Topical 2-month treatment for protection from heartworms, roundworms, hookworms, fleas and ticks
Bravecto® PLUS Topical Solution for Cats

Or search our online pharmacy here for other approved products for parasite prevention and treatment.

Please note:

• Always consult with your veterinarian for what may be the best option for your pets and their lifestyle.

• Always consult your veterinarian on best practices for obtaining quality products that have been stored correctly and are distributed directly from your veterinarian, or from a verified online pharmacy that subscribes to good manufacturing processes/standards of quality.

Works Cited:

“Fleas, Ticks & Your Pet.” Pets & Parasites by CAPC

Heartworm Society. “Heartworm in Dogs.” American Heartworm Society, 20 Apr. 1970

“Preventing Ticks on Your Pets.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 10 Jan. 2019

“Safe Use of Flea and Tick Preventive Products.” American Veterinary Medical Association

Sifferlin, Alexandra. “CDC: Diseases From Mosquitoes, Fleas and Ticks Have Tripled.” Time, Time, 1 May 2018