Heartworm Prevention
in Rome, GA
At Animal Medical Center of Rome, we know how important it is to protect your pet from heartworm disease, a serious, potentially fatal condition spread by mosquitoes. Since mosquitoes are active throughout much of the year in Georgia, keeping your pet on consistent heartworm prevention is one of the most important steps you can take for their health.
What Is Heartworm Disease?
Heartworm disease is caused by parasitic worms that live in the heart, lungs, and blood vessels of affected pets. Dogs are natural hosts for heartworms, but cats can also be infected. Left untreated, heartworms can cause severe lung disease, heart failure, organ damage, and even death.
How Heartworms Spread
Heartworms are transmitted through mosquito bites. When a mosquito carrying heartworm larvae bites your pet, the larvae enter the bloodstream and develop into adult worms over several months. Because this disease is so prevalent in the Southeast, prevention is essential.
Unlike many other parasites, heartworms cannot be eliminated with over-the-counter treatments. Once a pet is infected, treatment is costly, lengthy, and risky—especially for cats, who often cannot be safely treated. Fortunately, prevention is safe, effective, and affordable.
Our veterinarians recommend:
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Annual heartworm testing to ensure your pet is parasite-free
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Year-round prevention through safe, reliable medications
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Customized prevention plans tailored to your pet’s lifestyle and health needs
Protect Your Pet with
Heartworm Prevention in Rome, GA
At Animal Medical Center of Rome, we are committed to keeping your pet safe from parasites like heartworms. With routine testing and preventive care, you can help your pet avoid the dangers of this disease and enjoy a healthier, happier life.
FAQs
How do pets get heartworms?
Heartworms are transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. When a mosquito bites an animal carrying heartworm larvae, it can then pass those larvae into the bloodstream of the next dog or cat it bites.
Can indoor pets get heartworm disease?
Yes. Because mosquitoes can easily enter homes through open doors or windows, indoor pets remain at risk. Most veterinarians recommend consistent prevention regardless of whether a pet spends the majority of its time inside or outside.
Is heartworm disease seasonal?
While mosquito activity is higher during warmer months, many experts recommend year-round prevention. This ensures continuous protection during unexpected warm spells or in regions where mosquitoes may be active throughout the year.
What is the difference between heartworm prevention and heartworm treatment?
Prevention is a regular medication (typically monthly) designed to kill heartworm larvae before they mature into adults. Treatment, on the other hand, is a more intensive medical process used to eliminate adult worms after an infection has already been established.
How often should a pet be tested for heartworms?
It is a standard veterinary practice to perform a heartworm test once a year. This blood test ensures that the preventive medication is working effectively and that the pet is healthy before continuing or starting a new prescription.