Heartworm Disease Prevention and Treatment in Tulsa, OK
Heartworm Disease Prevention and Treatment in Tulsa, OKHeartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal condition caused by parasitic worms that live in the heart, lungs, and blood vessels of infected pets. Oklahoma’s warm, humid climate and long mosquito season put Tulsa dogs and cats at year-round risk. The good news is that heartworm disease is almost entirely preventable. At Woodland West Animal Hospital, we test, protect, and treat pets to keep this dangerous parasite out of your home.
How Pets Get Heartworms
Heartworms are spread by mosquitoes. When a mosquito bites an infected animal, it picks up immature heartworm larvae and passes them to the next pet it bites. Over about six months, the larvae mature into adult worms that can grow up to a foot long and live in the heart and lungs for years. A single infected dog can carry dozens to hundreds of worms. Because mosquitoes can get indoors, even pets who spend most of their time inside are at risk.
Signs of Heartworm Disease
Early heartworm disease often has no symptoms at all, which is why routine testing is so important. As the disease progresses, dogs may show:
- A mild, persistent cough
- Reluctance to exercise or tiring easily
- Decreased appetite and weight loss
- A swollen belly from fluid buildup
- Difficulty breathing
- Collapse in severe cases (caval syndrome), which is a medical emergency
In cats, heartworm disease can cause coughing, asthma-like attacks, vomiting, weight loss, or sudden collapse. There is no approved treatment for heartworms in cats, making prevention essential.
Heartworm Testing
We recommend an annual heartworm test for all dogs, even those on year-round prevention. A small blood sample is all that’s needed, and testing is included in many of our wellness packages. Puppies can start prevention early and should be tested after about seven months of age. If a test is positive, we confirm the diagnosis with additional bloodwork and may use chest X-rays or ultrasound to assess the heart and lungs.
Heartworm Treatment for Dogs
Treatment for heartworm-positive dogs follows a careful, multi-step protocol designed to kill adult worms while minimizing complications. It typically includes medications to weaken the worms and reduce inflammation, a series of injections to kill adult heartworms, and several weeks of strict exercise restriction while the worms break down. Treatment is effective but lengthy and costly — another reason prevention is the best medicine. Financing options are available if your pet needs treatment.
Year-Round Heartworm Prevention
Monthly chewables, topical products, and longer-lasting injectable options all provide reliable protection when given on schedule. Many heartworm preventives also protect against intestinal parasites, and some are combined with flea and tick control. Our team will help you choose the right product as part of your pet’s parasite prevention plan. Preventives are available from our fully stocked pharmacy and can be picked up at our drive-thru window.
Starting prevention early is part of every puppy and kitten visit. Explore our other pet health conditions or see all veterinary services.
Heartworm Disease FAQs
Do pets in Tulsa really need year-round heartworm prevention?
Yes. Oklahoma’s mild winters allow mosquitoes to survive much of the year, and missing even one dose can leave a gap in protection. Year-round prevention is the safest approach.
Can indoor pets get heartworms?
Yes. Mosquitoes easily get inside homes, so indoor dogs and cats are still at risk and should be on prevention.
How often should my dog be tested for heartworms?
We recommend testing once a year, even for dogs on year-round prevention, to make sure the preventive is working and catch any infection early.
Can heartworms be treated in cats?
There is no approved medication to kill adult heartworms in cats. Supportive care can help manage symptoms, which is why prevention is so important for cats.
Is heartworm disease contagious between pets?
No. Heartworms can only spread through the bite of an infected mosquito, not through direct contact between pets.
What happens if I miss a dose of heartworm prevention?
Give the dose as soon as you remember and call our team. Depending on how long it has been, we may recommend a heartworm test in several months.
Is heartworm treatment safe?
Treatment carries some risk, especially in dogs with advanced disease, but following the protocol and strict exercise restriction greatly reduces complications. We monitor your dog closely throughout.
Protect Your Pet From Heartworms
Schedule your pet’s heartworm test and start year-round prevention today. Call Woodland West Animal Hospital at (918) 299-1208.