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Videos

Understanding the prevalence of heartworm in cats

The true prevalence of heartworms in cats has been a question in the minds of many veterinarians. In this video, veterinary parasitologist and Zoetis scientist Dr. Jessica Rodriguez discusses the findings of a recent study that compared the results of heartworm testing in dogs and cats from a heartworm-endemic area of the U.S. and explains what it revealed about different types of heartworm tests and which tests give the most accurate picture of heartworm prevalence.

Feline | Diagnosis | Shelters | Veterinary Professionals | Incidence
Category: Video

Understanding the risk of heartworm in cats

Heartworm disease in cats is very different from hearhtworm in dogs, as Dr. Tom Nelson explains.

Canine | Feline | Diagnosis | Shelters | Veterinary Professionals | Incidence
Category: Video

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Videos: 2016 NAVC Symposium

Watch EyeOn Heartworm Presentations from the 2016 NAVC Symposium.

Canine | Feline | Prevention | Diagnosis | Treatment
Category: Video

What are Heartworms?

Why are heartworms a threat to your dog? This short video explains.

Canine | Feline | Prevention | Diagnosis | Treatment | Exotics
Category: Video

When and why should cats be screen for heartworms?

n the U.S., veterinarians tend to reserve heartworm testing in cats for those that show overt clinical signs of adult heartworm infections. In this video, veterinary parasitologist and Zoetis scientist Dr. Jessica Rodriguez explains what a recent study done in conjunction with University of Florida and University of Oklahoma researchers revealed about the need to screen cats for heartworm and the need to protect them from this common parasite.

Feline | Prevention | Diagnosis | Shelters | Veterinary Professionals
Category: Video

When cats test positive for heartworms, what's next?

Veterinary cardiologist Dr. Clarke Atkins explains how veterinarians can interpret the results of antigen and antibody heartworm tests in cats.

Feline | Diagnosis | Veterinary Professionals | Cost
Category: Video

When dogs test positive for heartworms, what's next?

Veterinary cardiologist Dr. Clarke Atkins outlines testing strategies for dogs that test positive for heartworms.

Canine | Diagnosis | Veterinary Professionals | Cost
Category: Video

Why alternative heartworm treatment protocols are needed

Veterinary parasitologist Dr. Laura Kramer of the University of Parma discusses the rationale for alternative heartworm treatment protocols.

Canine | Treatment | Veterinary Professionals | Resistance
Category: Video

Why combine macrocyclic lactones and repellents in a heartworm prevention protocol?

Veterinary cardiologist Dr. Matthew Miller discusses multimodal heartworm prevention strategies.

Canine | Prevention | Veterinary Professionals
Category: Video

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Why Do We Remind to Test and NOT Prevent? (Tom Nelson)


Canine | Feline | Prevention | Diagnosis | Shelters
Category: Video

Heartworms Unraveled Signup

We’re glad you’ve found this video training series! To help us understand how this training is being utilized, we ask that you please fill out the information below. Note that you will NOT receive any communications from the American Heartworm Society, unless you check the box below to opt-in. The AHS typically sends emails a few times a year, whenever we have new information to share about heartworm disease.

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Veterinary Technician/Nurse Student Membership

Welcome! The American Heartworm Society is dedicated to serving all veterinary professionals -- including students.

Cost

We offer free student memberships for all current Veterinary Technician/Nurse students in good standing. 
 
Student Benefits
  • AHS Bulletin Delivered to your Email Address
  • Access to All Paid-Member Online Resources at heartwormsociety.org
  • Reduced pricing on cetain educational materials available through our online store

Application Process

Click here and use the code TechStudent22-23 when prompted to pay, discounting the student membership to zero. You will also need to upload an image of your valid student ID. If you have any questions, send an email to sonya.hennessy@heartwormsociety.org.

Renewal

Veterinary Technician/Nurse Student Memberships will be extended to June 15 of your anticipated graduation year.

Once you have completed your studies, you will no longer be eligible for a student membership, and you will need to upgrade to one of our very reasonably-priced, paid professional membership plans.

2022 Triennial Heartworm Symposium Abstract Submission Form

The deadline for submitting abstracts has passed.  Please contact lisa.scott@heartwormsociety.org for more information.

Download Author Instructions

Scientific abstracts will be given 15 minutes for presentation. Proposals for topical reviews will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis for time allotment.

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    Epidemiology and the Mosquito Vector
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    Shelter and Community Medicine
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    Heartworm Resource Center Option 2

    12 Treating Heartworm Disease: Why Use the AHS Protocol (Tom Nelson)

    Category: Video
    Topics: Canine | Treatment | Veterinary Professionals
    Download

    11 Minimizing Complications of Melarsomine (Stephen L. Jones)

    Category: Video
    Topics: Canine | Treatment | Veterinary Professionals
    Download

    09 Thoracic Radiography and Feline Heartworm Disease (Clifford R. Berry)

    Category: Video
    Topics: Feline | Diagnosis | Veterinary Professionals
    Download

    08 Echocardiography: Is it Needed in Heartworm-Positive Animals? (Matthew W. Miller)

    Category: Video
    Topics: Canine | Feline | Diagnosis | Veterinary Professionals
    Download

    07 Doxycycline: The Role in Heartworm Treatment, Prevention, and Transmission (Matthew W. Miller)

    Category: Video
    Topics: Canine | Prevention | Diagnosis | Treatment | Veterinary Professionals | Incidence
    Download

    06 Heartworm in Nontraditional Species (Lions, Tigers, and Bears, Oh My!) (Bianca Zaffarano)

    Category: Video
    Topics: Prevention | Exotics | Other | Veterinary Professionals
    Download

    05 Thoracic Radiography and Canine Heartworm Disease (Clifford H. Berry)

    Category: Video
    Topics: Canine | Diagnosis | Veterinary Professionals
    Download

    03 Why Not Slow Kill? Patient-Focused Reasons (Clarke Atkins)

    Category: Video
    Topics: Canine | Treatment | Veterinary Professionals
    Download

    02 Heartworm Testing: The WHY and HOW of Heat-Treating Samples (Susan E. Little)

    Category: Video
    Topics: Canine | Feline | Diagnosis | Exotics | Veterinary Professionals
    Download

    Pet Lovers Prioritize Pet Health During the COVID-19 Crisis

    Category: Infographics
    Topics: Canine | Feline | Prevention | Diagnosis | Treatment | Exotics
    Download

    Student Membership

    Welcome! The American Heartworm Society is dedicated to serving all veterinary professionals -- including students.

    Cost

    We offer free student memberships for all current veterinary and graduate students in good standing. If you are not a veterinary student or graduate student, click here.
     
    Student Benefits
    • AHS Bulletin Delivered to your Email Address
    • Access to All Paid-Member Online Resources at heartwormsociety.org
    • Reduced pricing on cetain educational materials available through our online store

    Application Process

    Click here and use the code STU2023 when prompted to pay, discounting the student membership to zero. You will also need to upload an image of your valid student ID. If you have any questions, send an email to sonya.hennessy@heartwormsociety.org.

    Renewal

    Student Memberships will be extended to June 15 of your anticipated graduation year.

    Once you have completed your studies, you will no longer be eligible for a student membership, and you will need to upgrade to one of our very reasonably-priced, paid professional membership plans.

    Heartworm Preventives

    The American Heartworm Society recommends year-round administration of medications approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prevent heartworm infection. Currently available preventives are listed below; as new products become available, updates will be posted at heartwormsociety.org. Consult the appropriate manufacturer for minimum age/weight, use during breeding/lactation, or other health requirements for product usage.

    Heartworm Resistance

    Resistance Statement

    Diagnostic Algorithm

    2019 Heartworm Incidence Survey Terms and Conditions

    Please click the external link below to review the terms and conditions related to the  American Heartworm Society 2019 Heartworm Incidence Survey.

    You acknowledge that by clicking the link below, you are leaving the American Heartworm Society website and going to a different website.

    http://certified.promotrust.com/bi/ahssurveysweepstakes/rules

    2019 Abstract Submissions Closed

    The abstract submission deadline has passed. For more information, please contact Lisa Scott at lisa.scott@heartwormsociety.org.

    Welcome to the American Heartworm Society

       

    Welcome to the American Heartworm Society

       

    Welcome to the American Heartworm Society

       

    Heartworm Prevention for Dogs

    Heartworm Prevention for Dogs

    Heartworm prevention for dogs is an important concern for every pet owner. Prevention is an important part of providing essential care, and heartworm disease prevention for dogs is something every owner can do. Consider this:

    • Dogs have been diagnosed with heartworm disease in every state in the U.S.
    • Heartworms are spread by mosquitoes, so any area of the country that has mosquitoes—even just a few of them—can also have heartworm disease.
    • Dogs don’t just need prevention during warm-weather months. Heartworm preventives work by treating heartworms that already infected the pet within the past month or longer; meanwhile, preventives need to be given on time, every time to be effective. That’s why the American Heartworm Society recommends year-round heartworm prevention for pets.
    • The American Heartworm Society estimates that more than a million dogs in the U.S. have heartworm disease—and heartworm disease can be fatal.
    • Cats and ferrets can also get heartworm disease.
    • Heartworm preventives are safe, relatively inexpensive and easy to give, but if a dog becomes infected, heartworm treatment can be costly and difficult, requiring multiple veterinary visits and months of exercise restriction.
    • While there are drug-free strategies owners can put in place to reduce a pet’s exposure to mosquitoes, there’s no such thing as a “natural” heartworm preventives.

    Heartworm preventives come in different forms, including monthly chewable pills and topical “spot on” medications, as well as an injectable medication that is given every 6 or 12 months. Heartworm preventives are available only by prescription from veterinarians.

    Some preventives only prevent heartworms, some protect pets from heartworms and intestinal parasites, and some protect pets from many different parasites, including heartworms, intestinal worms, fleas, ticks and mites. Because veterinarians know which parasites are common in the area in which they practice, owners should talk to their pet’s doctor about what product or products will be best for their pets.

    For more information on the “dos” and “don’ts” of heartworm prevention in dogs, click here.

    Heartworm Medicine for Dogs

    Heartworm Medicine for Dogs

    Heartworm medicine for dogs doesn't have to be confusing. There are really two types of heartworm medicine for dogs: (1) those that prevent heartworms in dogs; and (2) those that are used to treat heartworms in dogs after they become infected. 

    Preventive medications come in several forms, including chewable pills, topical “spot-ons” and injectable medications. Because one form or another may be easier for owners to give their dogs and because some—but not all—products may prevent multiple parasites besides heartworms, owners and veterinarians should work together to determine the best product for an individual pet. The American Heartworm Society recommends year-round administration of heartworm preventives to ensure pets are protected from deadly heartworms.

    If a dog becomes infected, the resulting heartworm disease can cause life-long damage. Treating heartworm infection and killing the adult worms that infect the dogs heart, lungs and arteries can be very expensive and requires months of treatment and multiple veterinary visits. During the treatment period, pets must be kept quiet, with exercise avoided. 

    Medications for heartworm prevention and treatment are available only by prescription from veterinarians. Prevention is always the best option, as damage from heartworms can be permanent.  

    Regardless of what owners read or hear from other owners, it’s important to understand that there are no "natural" products that can be used for either prevention or treatment.  Always use FDA-approved products as recommended by your veterinarian.

    Resources for Pet Owners

    Use the filters below to find Heartworm Society resources for your pet.

    Resources for Veterinarians

    Use the filters below to find Heartworm Society resources for your practice.

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    I am a Veterinary Professional  I am a Pet Owner

    Resources v3

    Veterinarian Resources

    Grounded or Unfounded: It's too dry here for heartworms.

    Protect Your Pet Handout

    hideme

    Just for Kids

    Let's talk about heartworm

    Looking for a non-threatening, kid-friendly way to approach the subject of heartworm treatment? Try using these printable activity pages and handouts. They make great discussion starters and help put kids at ease about their pets' treatment plan.


    Word Scramble + Answer Key

    Who can get heartworms? Unscramble these words to find out!

    Category: Just for Kids
    Canine | Feline | Prevention | Diagnosis | Treatment | Exotics | Shelters | Other | Veterinary Professionals | Pet Owners

    Download PDF

    Heartworm Word Search + Answer Key

    Older kids learn about heartworm terms in this more difficult word search activity.

    Category: Just for Kids
    Canine | Feline | Prevention | Diagnosis | Treatment | Exotics | Shelters | Other | Veterinary Professionals | Pet Owners

    Download PDF

    Heartworm Disease Crossword + Answer Key

    Crossword clues help to teach older children heartworm disease terms.

    Category: Just for Kids
    Canine | Feline | Prevention | Diagnosis | Treatment | Exotics | Shelters | Other | Veterinary Professionals | Pet Owners

    Download PDF

    At the Veterinarian

    Coloring page to help young pet owners learn about heartworm prevention.

    Category: Just for Kids
    Canine | Feline | Prevention | Diagnosis | Treatment | Exotics | Shelters | Other | Veterinary Professionals | Pet Owners

    Download PDF

    Heartworm Health Exam

    Coloring page helps teach young kids about trips to the veterinarian.

    Category: Just for Kids
    Canine | Feline | Prevention | Diagnosis | Treatment | Exotics | Shelters | Other | Veterinary Professionals | Pet Owners

    Download PDF

    Road Maze

    A fun maze helps get children on the right path to responsible pet care.

    Category: Just for Kids
    Canine | Feline | Prevention | Diagnosis | Treatment | Exotics | Shelters | Other | Veterinary Professionals | Pet Owners

    Download PDF

    Word Search

    Younger kids learn about veterinary terms in this simple word search activity.

    Category: Just for Kids
    Canine | Feline | Prevention | Diagnosis | Treatment | Exotics | Shelters | Other | Veterinary Professionals | Pet Owners

    Download PDF

    Privacy Policy

    The AMERICAN HEARTWORM SOCIETY respects and protects the privacy of users of any AMERICAN HEARTWORM SOCIETY web site (hereinafter "Site"). This Privacy Policy discloses how we collect and use information on the Site, and the choices that you can make about the way your information is collected and used.

    1. INFORMATION COLLECTION AND USE

    Portions of the Site may require that users who wish to contact the AMERICAN HEARTWORM SOCIETY to request information provide personally identifiable contact information. The AMERICAN HEARTWORM SOCIETY uses the information you provide to respond to your request. The AMERICAN HEARTWORM SOCIETY keeps this information on file and may use this information to contact users in the future. Users purchasing AMERICAN HEARTWORM SOCIETY products online are also required to provide personally identifying information, including credit card information. The AMERICAN HEARTWORM SOCIETY uses this information to process and identify each user's order. The AMERICAN HEARTWORM SOCIETY keeps personally identifiable information provided by users on file, and may use this information to contact users in the future.

    The AMERICAN HEARTWORM SOCIETY does not now, and never will, sell or rent personally identifiable user information collected about or from our users. In the event that The AMERICAN HEARTWORM SOCIETY sells or is acquired by another business concern, in whole or in part, The AMERICAN HEARTWORM SOCIETY may transfer user information in conjunction with such sale or acquisition, at which time the policy controlling sale or rental of user information may change.

    The AMERICAN HEARTWORM SOCIETY reserves the right to access and disclose personally identifiable information as it deems necessary to protect the Site, the content of the Site, or at the request of competent court authorities or law enforcement agencies.

    The AMERICAN HEARTWORM SOCIETY collects non-personally identifiable information when visitors access the Site. The AMERICAN HEARTWORM SOCIETY does not link this anonymous information to personal information. The AMERICAN HEARTWORM SOCIETY uses this non-personally identifiable information in aggregated form for the purpose of improving its products and services.

    The AMERICAN HEARTWORM SOCIETY does not report, provide, rent or sell online subscription service usage information except as required by competent court authorities or law enforcement agencies. Usage information can include, but is not limited to, login date and time information, amount of time spent online, number of pages visited, number of exams or lessons completed, and scores achieved during exams.

    2. PRIVACY STATEMENT CONSENT OR OPT-OUT

    Users who provide information requested by the Site, or who continue to use the Site after having an opportunity to review this Privacy Policy, thereby consent to the terms of this Privacy Policy and to the AMERICAN HEARTWORM SOCIETY's use of the information it collects as described in this Privacy Policy. Those who do not agree to this Privacy Policy may not use the Site.

    The AMERICAN HEARTWORM SOCIETY reserves the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time without giving prior notice. If there are material changes to this Privacy Policy, the AMERICAN HEARTWORM SOCIETY will post such changes on the Site. Use of the Site following any such modification constitutes agreement to follow and be bound by the Privacy Policy as modified.

    3. ACCESS TO AND CORRECTION OF USER INFORMATION

    Users may request access to the data the AMERICAN HEARTWORM SOCIETY has collected about them by sending an e-mail request to Customer Service. After review, if users believe an error has been made, they may request that the information be corrected by submitting a request to Customer Service. The AMERICAN HEARTWORM SOCIETY will correct the error upon adequate verification in its sole and absolute discretion. The AMERICAN HEARTWORM SOCIETY will take reasonable steps to verify a user's identity before granting access or making corrections.

    4. DATA INTEGRITY/SECURITY

    The AMERICAN HEARTWORM SOCIETY has taken security measures to protect against loss, misuse or alteration of payment and other information under the AMERICAN HEARTWORM SOCIETY's control in accordance with standard business practices.

    5. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

    The Site is not intended for children. Users under eighteen (18) years of age are prohibited from posting or providing any personal information on the AMERICAN HEARTWORM SOCIETY web site. The AMERICAN HEARTWORM SOCIETY relies on users to comply with the provisions of this paragraph.

    The Site may contain links to other web sites. Please be aware that other web sites that may be accessed through this Site may collect personally identifiable information about users. The information practices of those third-party web sites linked to this Site are not covered by this Privacy Policy.

    Under no circumstances shall the AMERICAN HEARTWORM SOCIETY be liable for any damages, including, but not limited to, special, incidental, consequential or exemplary damages, that result from the use of information or materials posted to or collected as a result of the user's accessing the Site, even if the AMERICAN HEARTWORM SOCIETY has been advised of the possibility of such damages.

    6. CONTACT INFORMATION

    Users wishing to access or correct any personally identifying information may contact the AMERICAN HEARTWORM SOCIETY via e-mail at INFO@HEARTWORM SOCIETY.ORG.

    7. EFFECTIVE DATE

    The effective date of this Privacy Policy is SEPTEMBER 1, 2014.

    Web Site Management

    Newsroom

    The American Heartworm Society is the leading resource on heartworm disease, and our mission is to lead the veterinary profession and the public in the understanding of this serious disease. Every year, hundreds of stories are written on the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of heartworm, as well as on the plight of affected pets. These stories are an important way of reaching both veterinary professionals and pet owners with information they need to know about heartworm disease.

    For Pet Owners

    As part of our mission to lead the public in the understanding of heartworm disease, we are constantly developing informational tools and resources for pet owners. We encourage you to download, share and make use of the resources listed below.

    About the American Heartworm Society

    When the “About” link is clicked, we need to see a brief overview about AHS (non-profit, creates guidelines, hosts symposia, etc.) and some corresponding images. This will be NEW—we will need to write.

    Welcome to the American Heartworm Society

    Enjoy your benefits.

    Heartworm Resource Center

    2019 Heartworm Incidence Survey

    Thank you for your participation. We will report the results of this survey in spring 2020.

    Join AHS

    Join the leading association on Heartworm education and prevention today!

    Already a Member? Sign in here.

    Membership Details

    The days are getting shorter, the nights are cooler, leaves are starting to turn, and football season is here. But that doesn’t mean your clients can forget about protecting their pets from heartworms.

    To keep this message front and center with your clients, we’re sharing a set of new posters you can print OR post on your Facebook or Instagram page.

    • To save or print a poster, just click on the image below, then click on the “download” button and save the PDF file.
    • To save a poster for use on your social pages, simply open the downloaded poster, then right click on the file and follow the menu instructions to save the file as a JPEG image.

    For more client tools, be sure to visit the Resource Center. And if you don’t already, make sure you’re sharing our Facebook and Instagram posts!