Tap to Call NowMosquito season means increased risk of heartworms
May 10, 2019
Although the ‘official’ start of summer is still weeks away (June 21, in case you were wondering), it already feels like the season is upon us here in Florida.
Warmer temperatures and our increasingly-frequent afternoon showers bring back many unwelcome pests in larger numbers. These include fleas, bufo toads mosquitoes and more. In this blog, I want to specifically talk about mosquitoes, dangerous enemies to your pets because they are capable of spreading heartworm disease. This disease is one of the most serious diseases we see and treat.
How many times have you invested in heartworm prevention for your pet, then forgotten to give it to them? Recent studies have shown that close to 60% of pet owners forget to give it routinely- so if you forget- you’re not alone. It’s important that your pet remain protected 365 days a year here in Florida, as mosquitoes never completely go away. If you have a hard time remembering, here’s a simple tip. Put it on a calendar. Whether your preference is a wall calendar, a day planner, or a calendar on your smartphone- write it down for the next 12 months- on the same day of the month. I like the smartphone calendar- because you can add all 12 months at once, and have it alert you when your pet is due for their next dose.
If you still have a hard time remembering to give their monthly dose of heartworm prevention, a great alternative is an injection of ProHeart6- which protects your pet against heartworms for 6 full months. No worrying about calendars or missing a dose.
It’s important to have your dog tested for heartworm disease on an annual basis. If heartworms go undetected, the symptoms often don’t appear until it is too late to combat the disease. Highland Pet is now offering a free heartworm test through June 30th with an injection of ProHeart 6. That’s a savings of $70!
How is Heartworm Disease spread?
Rather than describing how heartworms are spread- I’ve found this great video that speaks in plain language how heartworms are spread to dogs- and why it’s important for your pet to be protected year-round.
Tips on mosquito control
Mosquitoes require water to reproduce. The best way to keep your environment mosquito-free is to eliminate standing water in your yard or environment. If you have a yard, ensure that there are no areas of standing water. Remove any receptacles that can collect or retain water. This includes buckets, empty planters, tires or anything where mosquitoes can breed. Even if you have a pest control company that sprays for bugs- mosquitoes will quickly return if there’s standing, stagnant water.
We know you love your pet- and you probably love saving money! Take advantage of our free heartworm test and protect your pet from heartworms for a full 6 months with an injection of ProHeart6. Call us today to schedule your pet’s appointment. Offer ends June 30th, 2019.