{"id":162,"date":"2025-04-08T20:29:27","date_gmt":"2025-04-08T20:29:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.blueravineanimalhospital.com\/blog\/?p=162"},"modified":"2025-04-17T18:17:41","modified_gmt":"2025-04-17T18:17:41","slug":"national-heartworm-awareness-month-protecting-your-pet-from-heartworm-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.blueravineanimalhospital.com\/blog\/national-heartworm-awareness-month-protecting-your-pet-from-heartworm-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"National Heartworm Awareness Month: Protecting Your Pet from Heartworm Disease"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"Pet<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

April is National Heartworm Awareness Month.<\/strong> Heartworm infection is incredibly dangerous for pets, which is why we’re grateful this month exists. It’s a perfect time for the team at Blue Ravine Animal Hospital<\/a> to educate pet parents about the importance of heartworm prevention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What is Heartworm Disease?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Heartworm disease is when heartworm parasites infect your pet’s body. These parasitic worms are transmitted by mosquitoes. They live in the heart, lungs, and blood vessels of infected animals. Without prompt treatment, the prognosis for pets infected with heartworm is dire. And even then, the condition is incredibly complex and difficult to treat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding Heartworm Disease in Dogs and Cats<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While heartworms can affect various animals, heartworm disease in dogs is the most common and severe. Dogs are natural hosts for heartworms. This means the parasites can thrive, reproduce, and cause extensive damage in our furry canines’ bodies. Infected dogs can show signs of the disease, but often not until an infection is severe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These symptoms include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n