Heartworm Awareness: What Every Pet Parent Needs to Know

 When it comes to keeping your pets safe, few things are as important—and as preventable—as heartworm disease. It’s serious, it’s dangerous, and in many cases, it’s completely avoidable with proper prevention.

At J-B Pet Supplies, we’re here to help you understand what heartworms are, how they affect your pets, and what you can do to keep them safe and healthy year-round.

What Is Heartworm Disease?

Heartworm disease is caused by a parasite called Dirofilaria immitis. It’s transmitted by mosquitoes, which carry microscopic heartworm larvae (called microfilariae) from pet to pet.

Once a dog is bitten, the larvae enter the bloodstream, grow over several months, and eventually develop into foot-long worms that live in the heart, lungs, and blood vessels. 😱 Yes—actual worms living in your dog’s heart.

What Happens If a Dog Is Infected?

Heartworm disease can be fatal if not treated. It causes:

💔 Heart Failure
🌬️ Severe Lung Disease
⚠️ Organ Damage
🫁 Exercise Intolerance and Coughing

In the early stages, there may be no signs at all, which is why routine testing and year-round prevention are so important. Once symptoms appear, the disease is often advanced.

Treatment exists, but it’s expensive, lengthy, and tough on your dog’s body. That’s why prevention is the best medicine.

How Can You Prevent Heartworm?

The good news: Heartworm is 100% preventable with vet-approved heartworm preventatives. These can be given monthly (as chewables or topicals) or as a longer-lasting injection. Talk to your vet about which one is right for your dog.

🐾 Bonus Tip: Many preventatives also protect against other internal parasites like hookworms and roundworms.

At J-B Pet Supplies, we carry a variety of products to support your dog’s overall parasite prevention plan—like flea & tick repellents, natural sprays, and immune-boosting supplements. While we don’t sell prescription heartworm preventatives, we’re happy to recommend companion products that help keep your dog healthy and mosquito-free.

What About Cats?

Cats can get heartworm—but it’s less common and less understood. Even a single worm can cause serious issues like:

😿 Respiratory problems
😿 Vomiting
😿 Sudden collapse or death (in rare cases)

There’s no approved treatment for cats, so prevention is key here, too. If you live in a high-risk area or your cat goes outdoors, talk to your vet about feline heartworm prevention.

Final Thoughts: Prevention is Easy—Treatment Isn’t

Mosquitoes don’t take a break—and neither should your prevention plan.
Make heartworm awareness a year-round priority for your pets.

📍 Stop by J-B Pet Supplies in Oakland or Hawthorne, or visit us online at www.jbpet.com, and let our knowledgeable staff help you build a customized wellness routine for your furry family member.

Because when it comes to parasites like heartworm, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure—and a much happier, healthier dog. 🐶💪