Mosquitos are still a threat to our pets!

Yesterday I was speaking with a client on the phone when she mentioned that she saw a mosquito on her window. Yes, even though it is November, mosquitos are still out! And look, it's snowing in upsate NY this morning!

It's interesting when clients tell me that they are using external parasite control only during the spring and summer months. It makes sense because late spring, summer, and early fall are the seasons we normally see mosquitos. When heartworm disease first came to our area, the recommendation was for only 6 months of preventative. At that time, heartworm prevention was used from April through October. That was in the old days of daily heartworm pills which some dogs would take readily and others would not. There was a huge issue with compliance since many dogs were not properly protected when they didn't take the medication each day. When manufacturers created a chewable, monthly preventative, we saw a big decrease in the number of positive heartworm cases. And our clients began following the new standard of year-round heartworm protection.

Now, since heartworm is transmitted by a mosquito, you might ask, "Why does preventative need to be given in the winter months when there are no mosquitos?" The answer to that is in my first remark: mosquitos are out, even in the colder months. It takes only a few warm days for moquitos to become active again. We have all seen the warm 60 degree days in January. Some types of mosquitos mate in the fall, enter hibernation in animal burrows, hollow logs, or basements, and pass the winter in a state of torpor. These are the mosquitos you see on the warm days in January and February. If your dog is not on Heartworm preventative during those months, they have no pretection from the heartworm bearing mosquitos.

Monthly heartworm prevention is easier than ever before. And what most people don't realize is they are getting a lot more for their money than just heartworm prevention. Many forms of heartworm prevention, like Heartgard, which is commonly used, pack powerful internal parasite control as well. Internal parasites can cause illness and even death to our pets and as important, they can be transmitted to humans. Protection is important, especially since our pets live so intimately with us, sleeping in our beds, and so on.

Remember, it is much easier to prevent heartworm disease than to treat it. Monthly prevention is easy, safe, and affordable!