- Rise in Mosquito Population Causes New Warning - BATAVIA, Ill., Nov. 19
BATAVIA, Ill., Nov. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Heartworm Society
strongly urges pet owners to continue year-round heartworm prevention
medication for their pets. It's important not to cut back on preventatives as
failing to administer them could cause harm to pets, and could actually
increase the financial burden if heartworm disease treatment is needed. The
warning comes as this year's increase in precipitation, widespread flooding
across the country and surge of hurricanes has greatly increased the mosquito
population. An increased mosquito population creates a greater potential for
heartworm disease, even in indoor dogs and cats.
"As the United States economy continues to struggle, we as Americans
closely inspect our monthly spending for what is and isn't necessary. It's
tempting to cut preventative heartworm care for pets, but the cost of
prevention is still relatively low compared to the cost of treatment if
heartworm disease is diagnosed. Both dogs and cats may needlessly suffer and
possibly die from this completely preventable disease. The risk from the
increased mosquito population makes the need for prevention even greater this
year," says Dr. Sheldon Rubin, American Heartworm Society president and
Chicago area practitioner.
While there is no approved treatment for feline heartworm disease, it is
easily prevented. The clinical presentation of feline heartworm disease has
recently been redefined as Heartworm Associated Respiratory Disease (HARD), an
infection that can often lead to severe lung disease and sudden death. HARD
is defined as such because heartworm disease may appear as respiratory signs
which have frequently been misdiagnosed as feline asthma or allergic
bronchitis. Through the KNOW Heartworms campaign,
http://www.knowheartworms.org, the American Heartworm Society has partnered
with the American Association of Feline Practitioners and Pfizer Animal Health
to educate veterinarians and cat owners about this preventable disease.
While heartworm disease treatments are available for canines, the process
of treating an infected dog is much more costly and dangerous than
preventative measures. The treatment consists of a series of injections with a
drug called melarsomine. The process is often painful and sometimes risky for
the animal. Depending on the severity of the disease, the expense of treatment
can run into many thousands of dollars.
Informational brochures, both canine and feline, are available from the
American Heartworm Society, and generously provided by an educational grant
from Pfizer Animal Health. They are also available from veterinarians. Visit
the Society's web site at http://www.heartwormsociety.org for further
information.
The American Heartworm Society, headquartered in Batavia, Illinois, is the
global resource for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of heartworm
disease and was formed during the Heartworm Symposium of 1974. The American
Heartworm Society stimulates and financially supports research, which furthers
knowledge and understanding of the disease.
Lea-Ann Germinder, APR, Fellow PRSA
lgerminder@germinder.com
816-213-8238
816-822-0192
Eve C. Larocca
info@heartwormsociety.org
American Heartworm Society
630-262-1997
SOURCE The American Heartworm Society
