Veterinarians are concerned that the limitations of COVD-19 has placed on veterinary services could lead to a decline in preventive health care for pets by Graham Garrison

Pandemic or no, now is not the time for the veterinary community to take its collective eye off the importance of heartworm prevention.  That was the message of the American Heartworm Society (AHS) this spring as it announced the results of the 2019 AHS Heartworm Incidence Survey and unveiled a new incidence map drawn from the data of nearly 6,000 U.S. veterinary practices and shelters last year. 

U.K. researchers are looking to determine whether the proteins that allow filarial parasites to establish infections will have similar protective effects in dogs.

Brian Calabro, DVM

When it comes to heartworms, cats may be overlooked but they’re certainly not immune. Here’s what you need to know about feline heartworm disease.

As summer arrives and temperatures rise, conversations and quarterly promotions in veterinary clinics shift once again to preventing a difficult and deadly disease. And while dog owners are usually familiar with heartworm disease and the importance of prevention, cat owners may be unaware that the disease can affect their pet at all.

Heartworm disease prevention and annual testing are a must for dogs and cats across the United States, says Dr. Stephen Jones. Here’s why.

Stephen Jones, DVM, knows a thing or two about heartworms. A general practitioner and partner at Lakeside Animal Hospital in Moncks Corner, South Carolina, Dr. Jones has treated thousands of heartworm infections in pets over the years and served on the board of the American Heartworm Society for more than a decade.

During a lecture at the 2020 Western Veterinary Conference, Dr. Jones noted that despite the fact that Dirofilaria immitis is increasingly found in both endemic and non-endemic areas across the U.S., questions remain about the need for heartworm disease prevention. He set out to answer those questions.

When using antigen and antibody tests, veterinarians need to be aware of their shortcomings

By Tom Nelson, DVM

Heartworm disease is an elusive diagnosis in feline patients. As such, a thorough understanding of the pathogenesis of feline heartworm disease (FHWD) is needed to interpret test results.

How heartworm disease differs in cats and dogs

Cats become infected with heartworms in much the same way as dogs. However, while cats are susceptible hosts, they differ significantly from dogs in the number of infective heartworm larvae that survive to adulthood.

Posted by justinelee in Animal Safety, Blog, Pet Health

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

American Heartworm Society provides guidance on heartworm protocols during COVID-19 crisis

WILMINGTON, DELAWARE—The COVID-19 crisis has created unprecedented disruptions in veterinary practices and animal shelters, making it challenging for many professionals to deliver wellness care, as well as certain medical treatments, to patients. As veterinary practices and animal shelters strive to provide the best possible care for their patients, questions frequently arise about heartworm prevention, testing and treatment.

While telemedicine is proving a lifeline for many hospitals during the current crisis, it doesn’t allow for routine heartworm testing and the administration of certain medications.

To address these issues, the American Heartworm Society (AHS) issued new recommendations to help hospitals and shelters better manage heartworm treatment at a time when many have cancelled routine wellness visits, or, worse, closed their doors for the short term.

NEWStat reached out to American Heartworm Society President Chris Duke, DVM, to find out more about the recommendations.

Conditions under which a veterinarian can delay annual heartworm tests during the COVID crisis is just one of the topics covered in new recommendations released by the American Heartworm Society (AHS).

Heartworm management is a cornerstone of pet health care, but the need to reduce the risk of the COVID-19 virus has led to changes in how veterinary visits are conducted. Here’s the latest recommendations for veterinarians from the American Heartworm Society.

Updated COVID-19 AHS recommendations (October 2020)

COVID-19 AHS recommendations (April 2020)

The COVID-19 crisis has created unprecedented disruptions in veterinary practices and animal shelters, making it challenging for many professionals to deliver wellness care, as well as certain medical treatments, to patients.

As veterinary practices and animal shelters strive to provide the best possible care for their patients, questions frequently arise about heartworm prevention, testing and treatment.