Heartworm Resource Center

The Deadly Truth: Heartworm Disease in Cats

Heartworm in cats can be deadly BUT it can be prevented.

5 Facts Every Pet Owner Should Know About Heartworm Disease

The five basic facts every pet owner needs to know about heartworm disease.

Updated COVID-19 Recommendations (October 2020)

Updated guidance on returning to normal protocols for heartworm prevention, testing, and treatment as COVID-19 mitigation measures were relaxed.

COVID-19 AHS Recommendation (April 2020)

Guidance on handling deviations from heartworm prevention, testing, and treatment necessitated by practice changes during the initial weeks and months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Heartworm Preventive Waiver

Client declining recommended heartworm prevention or testing? This hold-harmless waiver may help change their mind.

Bringing the 17th Triennial Heartworm Symposium to You

This Q&A provides highlights from 2022 AHS Triennial Heartworm Symposium speakers and moderators on leading issues presented and discussed at the conference.

Triennial Symposium Proceedings

Since the establishment of the American Heartworm Society in 1974, a symposium has been held every three years for the purpose of presenting the latest research on heartworm disease, diagnosis, and prevention. Presenters at each symposium come from all over the world.

Triennial Symposium

Heat treatment of serum samples in heartworm testing

Parasitologist Dr. Byron Blagburn explains what veterinarians need to know about heat treatment of serum samples in heartworm testing.

Heat treatment of feline serum samples

Parasitologist Dr. Byron Blagburn explains what veterinarians need to know about heat treatment of serum samples when testing cats for heartworm infection.

Current knowledge about heartworm resistance

Veterinary cardiologist Dr. Clarke Atkins discusses the most current information about heartworm resistance.

How to minimize development of resistant heartworms

Veterinary cardiologist Dr. Clarke Atkins explains what steps veterinarians can take to minimize the risk of resistant heartworms developing in the future.

The spread of heartworm disease in Europe

Veterinary parasitologist Dr. Laura Kramer of the University of Parma explains how heartworm disease has spread across Europe over the past several decades.

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.

"Watch-outs" with melarsomine in heartworm treatment

Veterinary parasitologist Dr. Laura Kramer of the University of Parma explains the pros and cons of treating heartworm infections with melarsomine.

Rationale for doxycycline in heartworm treatment

Veterinary parasitologist Dr. Laura Kramer of the University of Parma explains her rationale for including doxycycline in a heartworm treatment protocol.

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

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

Multimodal heartworm prevention

Veterinary cardiologist Dr. Matthew Miller explains why macrocyclic lactones are needed in conjunction with mosquito repellents in multimodal heartworm prevention protocols.

The latest on HARD in cats

Former Auburn veterinary internist Dr. Ray Dillon explains the most current knowledge about heartworm associated respiratory disease in cats.

Why prevention of feline heartworm disease is important

Former Auburn veterinary internist Dr. Ray Dillon discusses the importance of preventing heartworm disease in cats.

Decision tree for identifying resistant heartworm cases

University of Georgia veterinary parasitologist Dr. Ray Kaplan outlines strategies veterinarians can use to identify potentially heartworm-resistant cases.

Role of genetics in study of heartworm resistance

University of Georgia veterinary parasitologist Dr. Ray Kaplan explains why it’s important for scientists to study the genetics of heartworm resistance.

Pros and cons of doxycycline in a heartworm treatment protocol

Parasitologist Dr. Dwight Bowman explains why he has reservations about routinely using doxycycline in a heartworm treatment protocol.

Mosquito vectors in heartworm transmission

University of Arkansas entomologist Dr. Tanja McKay discusses mosquito vectors in the transmission of heartworm disease.

Feeding habits of mosquito vectors

University of Arkansas entomologist Dr. Tanja McKay explains the feeding habits of mosquitoes that transmit heartworm disease.