{"id":109,"date":"2024-09-12T16:59:33","date_gmt":"2024-09-12T21:59:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.switzerveterinaryclinic.com\/blog\/?p=109"},"modified":"2024-09-12T16:59:34","modified_gmt":"2024-09-12T21:59:34","slug":"heartworm-awareness-protecting-your-pets-in-alpena-from-mosquito-borne-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.switzerveterinaryclinic.com\/blog\/heartworm-awareness-protecting-your-pets-in-alpena-from-mosquito-borne-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"Heartworm Awareness: Protecting Your Pets in Alpena from Mosquito-Borne Disease"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Living by the lake has lots of upsides, but sometimes the insect population that comes along with those perks can be less-than-great. As pet lovers, our staff at Switzer Veterinary Clinic<\/a> want to be sure that our fellow animal caretakers are equipped with heartworm prevention tips for the mosquito population here in Alpena, Michigan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What Are Heartworms?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Those in animal health care are often all-too-familiar with heartworm disease<\/a> in our pets. These serious parasites reside in the heart and blood vessels of canids like dogs and coyotes. They can be transmitted from their host to other unprotected animals via mosquitoes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Microfilaria, essentially baby heartworms, ride along in the mosquito\u2019s digestive tract after it feeds, then are injected into the next animal the mosquito feeds on. The microfilaria then make their way into the bloodstream and develop into adult heartworms over the next 5-6 months. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heartworm disease in pets is often asymptomatic at first, but over time, the parasites can cause inflammation and damage to the heart and associated blood vessels. This can lead to symptoms including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n