Heartworm Prevention and Treatment at Willow Glen Pet Hospital
Pets are part of the family. If you’re a pet owner, you’ll want to make sure your pet is receiving a high standard of medical care. At Willow Glen Pet Hospital, we provide pets with top-notch care in a safe, clean environment. We are proud to serve San Jose, CA, and the surrounding area. Our services include:
- Vaccination
- Dental care
- Surgery
- Laboratory services
- Pharmacy services
- Emergency services
What Is Heartworm Disease?
Heartworm disease poses a serious and potentially fatal threat to pets in the United States and beyond. It occurs when foot-long parasitic worms invade the heart, lungs, and blood vessels of affected animals. These parasites can lead to lung disease, heart failure, and damage to other organs. Heartworm disease primarily affects dogs, cats, and ferrets. Mosquito bites spread the parasites.
Dogs serve as the primary hosts for heartworms, allowing the parasites to mature into full adults and causing severe symptoms. Some untreated dogs can harbor hundreds of worms, making heartworm prevention critical.
Although less common, cats and ferrets can also host heartworms. The worms do not grow to full size or reproduce within these animals, but they remain at risk. A single worm can be fatal, especially in ferrets, due to their smaller hearts.
How Can We Treat Heartworm?
We provide both preventative and rehabilitative heartworm treatments. Preventative medications come in various forms, including tablets, topical applications, and injections. The best option depends on what your pet prefers. Some medications also protect against other parasites in addition to heartworms. Our veterinarian will help you find the right product for your pet’s specific needs.
If your pet becomes infected, heartworm disease can result in lasting damage. Treating the disease by eliminating adult worms in your pet’s heart may take months. During treatment, pets need to remain calm and avoid exercise. While preventative care is the best way to avoid heartworm, we will do everything we can to help if your pet does contract the disease.
Heartworm Treatment in San Jose, CA
Whether you seek preventative heartworm care or worry about an infection, Willow Glen Pet Hospital is here to help. We offer a wide range of veterinary services for the Willow Glen area of San Jose, and we will work with you to provide the best treatment options for your pet. For more information, call us at (669) 342-7472 or request an appointment online today.