Heartworm Awareness Month: Protecting Pets Together

What Is Heartworm Disease?

Heartworm disease is caused by parasitic worms that live in a pet’s heart, lungs, and blood vessels.
Over time, it can lead to:

• Severe lung disease
• Heart failure
• Long-term organ damage
  
  

The good news? It’s highly preventable.

How Pets Get Heartworms

Heartworms spread through mosquito bites. When an infected mosquito bites a pet, larvae enter the bloodstream and develop into adult worms over several months. That’s why mosquito control is a critical part of prevention, and where our partnership with Mosquito Joe plays an important role.

How Mosquito Joe Helps

• Inspects and treats mosquito-prone areas like shrubs, tall grass, and standing water
• Applies barrier treatments that target where mosquitoes live and rest
• Provides ongoing service every 21 days during peak season
  
  

Pet Safety: Pets should remain indoors during treatment and for about 30–45 minutes after. Once dry, it’s safe to return outside.

Why Prevention Matters

Heartworm disease has been diagnosed in all 50 states, and even indoor pets are at risk.

Veterinarians recommend:

• Year-round prevention medication
• Annual testing
• Reducing mosquito exposure
  
  

Combining these steps with Mosquito Joe’s services helps significantly lower your pet’s risk.

(Mosquito control supports prevention but does not replace veterinarian-recommended medication.)

Helping Shelter Dogs Heal When Prevention Fails

Many dogs arrive at CASPCA already heartworm positive, often after going without preventive care.

Treatment is lifesaving but also lengthy, intensive, and costly, requiring months of medication, strict rest, and close monitoring.

Help Us Treat Heartworm-Positive Dogs

Every dog deserves a second chance.

Your support of our Medical Fund helps provide:

• Life-saving treatment
• Medications and monitoring
• Safe recovery and rehabilitation
  
  

Make a gift today to help a dog heal and find a home.

Signs to Watch For

Heartworm disease can be hard to detect early, which is why annual testing is so important.

Advanced symptoms may include:

• Dogs: persistent cough, fatigue, weight loss
• Cats: coughing, vomiting, sudden collapse

If you notice these signs, contact your veterinarian right away.

The Bottom Line

Heartworm disease is serious—but preventable with the right approach.

This Heartworm Awareness Month:

• Talk to your veterinarian
• Stay consistent with prevention and testing
• Reduce mosquito exposure with Mosquito Joe
• Support animals already in need of treatment
  
  

Together with Mosquito Joe, we’re working to prevent heartworm disease and care for the animals already affected.

Protect Pets—Today and Tomorrow

A simple prevention plan and your support save lives.

Because every pet deserves a healthy future.