Ruth Olsen is the Operational Manager for the Sumter Humane Society. She provides a healthy home for the pets of Sumter County. As part of providing a healthy home, she wants the residents to know there is one simple act of kindness that could extend the life of a pet by 5 to 10 years. Ruth reports heartworms, primarily in dogs, have become an “epidemic.” A little over 25% of the dogs she meets are infected. Heartworms can cause a horrible death for a dog. It is Ruth’s hope if folks are aware of how simple prevention is, an investment can be made which will extend the quality of life for our animal friends. Local vet, Dr. Kyler Crawford, also agrees with Ruth, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Ruth and Kyler describe the effects of heartworms as being detrimental to both the animal and the folks who love them.

Did you know? It’s National Heartworm Awareness Month: Indiana continues to rank high (top 12 ) for canine heartworm disease. Tom Dock, BSc, CVJ, Director of Communications Practice Manager, Noah’s at Wheaton, tells us what we need to look out for:

1) Heartworms are parasites that can live in our pets’ heart and/or lungs, can live for 5-7 years and are often up to a foot long in length!

In a perfect world, any dog diagnosed with heartworms would undergo treatment and recovery prior to travel with their owner or, in the case of shelter dogs, being transported for adoption purposes.

But in a world fraught with a pandemic, hurricanes, and wildfires, delaying travel isn’t always possible for heartworm-positive dogs, especially for rescue dogs in need of rehoming.

That’s why the American Heartworm Society (AHS) and the Association of Shelter Veterinarians (ASV) have issued updated joint recommendations to safeguard the health of heartworm-positive dogs while ensuring that infected animals don’t become vectors for heartworm transmission.

In an ideal world, any dog diagnosed with heartworms would undergo adulticide treatment and recovery prior to travel with an owner or being transported for purposes of adoption. In the real world, delaying travel is not always possible for heartworm-positive dogs, especially for rescued dogs in need of rehoming. To help guide veterinarians, shelter personnel and others on the front lines of animal rescue, the American Heartworm Society (AHS) and the Association of Shelter Veterinarians (ASV) have issued a new set of joint recommendations designed to safeguard the health of infected dogs while ensuring that infected animals do not become vectors for heartworm transmission.

Rehoming. A move. Accompanying an owner on a trip. Such situations can mean that dogs diagnosed with heartworms must travel. The American Heartworm Society and the Association of Shelter Veterinarians recently released joint transport recommendations designed to safeguard the health of infected dogs while ensuring they do not become vectors for heartworm transmission.

Highlights

• Prevalence of adult heartworm (HW) infection was 4 % in cats and 28 % in dogs.
• Combining antigen and antibody testing led to an overall 19 % positive cats.
• Prevalence did not differ between dogs and cats with added feline antibody testing.
• Dirofilaria repens microfilariae were identified in one dog and one cat.
• Acanthocheilonema reconditum microfilariae were identified in four dogs.

Addressing pandemic-related lapses in heartworm prophylaxis

By Tom Nelson, DVM

When the COVID pandemic hit North America in March, the immediate goal of government leaders and public health officials was to preserve personal protective equipment (PPE) and avoid overwhelming human health-care systems. Lines were quickly drawn between “essential” and “nonessential” services, with definitions varying from state to state. In most states, veterinary personnel were considered essential workers and pet owners were allowed continued access to veterinary care; however, for a time, this was limited for many to emergency medical services.

As practices resume routine wellness checks, veterinarians should ensure patients are protected from parasites, AHS says

While the COVID pandemic is not yet over, for veterinarians, it continues to be “business as usual” for heartworm prevention.

(BPT) - Whether fall is when you switch out your exercise regimen or schedule your annual flu shot, staying healthy is at the top of most “to do” lists right now. Just remember your four-legged family members when considering seasonal changes to your wellness program. Fall is the perfect time to take steps to keep pets healthy, too.