Monthly heartworm prevention is extremely important for the health of both dogs and cats. It is essential to prevent this severe and deadly infection.  In Georgia, we recommend heartworm prevention year round without exception, even for indoor cats and dogs.  Remember, it only takes 1 mosquito to transmit heartworm disease to your pet.

Annual heartworm testing is required for dogs before new prescriptions can be filled.  This is usually done at your pet's annual wellness visit.  If you realize, however, that you have forgotten to give your pet heartworm prevention for over a month, we recommend repeat testing before starting back on prevention.

Our preferred Heartworm prevention for dogs is Sentinel.  For cats, we recommend Revolution. Other products are available and may be recommended or approved based on your pet's needs.

Immiticide, the medication used to treat heartworm disease in dogs, is only available in limited quantities at this time (January, 2012).  We do not know how long this shortage will continue.  Therefore, it is even more important than ever to give your dog monthly heartworm prevention.

To learn more, go to the American Heartworm Society website:  http://www.heartwormsociety.org/