HEARTWORM
Heartworm Prevention and Treatment for Pets
Protect your dog or cat from this life-threatening disease with expert care at Belmont Vet Hospital.
What Is Heartworm Disease?
Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal condition affecting pets across all mainland states of Australia. While both dogs and cats can be infected, dogs are more susceptible, and the disease tends to be more severe in them.
Adult heartworms live in the heart and large blood vessels, where they can grow up to 30 cm in length. Infected dogs may also have heartworm larvae—called microfilariae—circulating in their bloodstream, which can be detected through blood testing.
Early detection and year-round heartworm prevention are essential to protect your pet from this life-threatening disease
How Is Heartworm Spread in Dogs?
Heartworm in dogs is spread through mosquito bites. When a mosquito bites an infected dog, it picks up tiny heartworm larvae called microfilariae. These larvae develop inside the mosquito and are passed on when the mosquito bites another dog.
Once inside the new host, the heartworm larvae migrate through the tissues and bloodstream, eventually reaching the heart and lungs, where they mature into adult heartworms.
Because heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes, even indoor dogs or those living in low-risk areas can still be exposed—making year-round heartworm prevention essential.
Why Is Heartworm Disease Dangerous?
Heartworm disease can be life-threatening, especially because it often shows no early signs. As the heartworms grow and mature, they begin to interfere with the normal circulation of blood in the heart and lungs.
Over time, this can lead to symptoms of heart failure, such as coughing, fatigue, and difficulty breathing. In severe cases, heartworm infestation can cause sudden collapse or even sudden death—especially if left untreated.
Early detection and preventative treatment are the best ways to protect your dog from the serious effects of heartworm disease.
If your pet has not been on a heartworm prevention program, we strongly recommend speaking with our team about performing a heartworm test before starting any preventive treatment. This is an important step to ensure your pet’s safety and to choose the most appropriate care plan.