Spring is on its way and the temperatures are rising. With rising temperatures come new flowers, grass, and insects. Some of the most important insects to consider are the mosquito, fleas, and ticks.

A mosquito infected with heart worm disease can spread the disease to your dog, or cat, with just one bite. If you have stopped giving your dog its heart worm preventative medication over the winter, you should make an appointment for a heart worm test soon! Heart worm tests for your dog are required yearly to ensure that the medication given is doing its job in preventing heart worm infections, and should be performed before giving your pet its preventative. A yearly negative heart worm test is required for a heart worm preventative prescription. Giving a dog heart worm preventative before it is confirmed heart worm negative can make your dog ill or it can even be fatal.  

If you have questions about a heart worm preventative for your cat, please call our office and we can consult with you about the best way to keep your cat protected based on its individual needs.

 
We also recommend ensuring that your pet has the proper flea and tick medication to help prevent infestation as the temperatures rise. Make sure that the medication you are using is for the correct weight of your pet, and NEVER use medication labeled “FOR DOGS ONLY" on your cat.

If you have questions about which heart worm or flea/tick preventative is best for your pet, or you would like to set up a time for your dog to get its heart worm test, please call our office and we will be happy to assist you.