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Protect Your Pet from Heartworm Disease

Heartworm Disease Treatment from our Austin Veterinarian

Heartworm disease and infection by other parasites, such as ticks, can make your dog or cat become severely sick or even die. Pets become vulnerable when they go outside for walks or outdoor activities. Understanding what causes heartworm disease, the symptoms, and how to treat and prevent it will help you keep your pets safe and healthy.

Dog getting heartworm treatment with the veterinarian

Causes of Heartworm

Heartworm disease is caused by a parasitic worm spread to dogs and cats bitten by mosquitoes carrying the larvae. Symptoms include coughing, vomiting, difficulty breathing, and weight loss. Heartworm disease can cause severe damage to the heart and lungs of pets making it necessary to get heartworm treatment immediately.

Heartworm Treatment

Heartworm treatment may be prescribed by your veterinarian, in Austin. Antibiotics and corticosteroids are used to treat inflammation caused as the worms die. A series of injections is then given to kill the adult worms. The injections cannot effectively treat heartworm disease in cats.

While heartworms live a shorter time in cats and eventually die off, this can result in an inflammatory reaction that may kill them. The safest way to remove the worms is by surgery. Your veterinarian may recommend surgery if heartworm disease in your dog threatens to damage the heart or lungs.

Tips to Protect Pets from Heartworm Disease

Spring and summertime are the most vulnerable periods for pets due to mosquito infestation. Your Austin veterinarian may advice you to take regular preventative measures throughout the year. They may include:

  • Keeping pets indoors during mosquito seasons
  • Regular heartworm treatment to kill existing worms and prevent new infections

Tick Prevention

Ticks attach themselves to the skin of dogs and cats. They suck the blood of these animals and may cause anemia, paralysis or Lyme disease. The following tick prevention measures can keep ticks away from pets:

  • Regular use of tick control products  
  • Treating outdoor environment where your pets walk or play
  • Getting rid of infected wild animals in your outdoor environment

Contact Our Austin Veterinarian to Treat Heartworm

Dessau Veterinary Clinic in Austin, TX has years of expertise treating heartworm disease and other parasitic infections. Contact us today at (512) 339-3177 to schedule an appointment for treatment.

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Monday:

7:00 am-12:00 pm

2:30 pm-6:00 pm

Tuesday:

7:00 am-12:00 pm

2:30 pm-6:00 pm

Wednesday:

7:00 am-12:00 pm

2:30 pm-6:00 pm

Thursday:

7:00 am-12:00 pm

2:30 pm-6:00 pm

Friday:

7:00 am-12:00 pm

2:30 pm-6:00 pm

Saturday:

8:00 am-12:00 pm

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Closed

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Read What Our Clients Say

  • "Dr. Campbell and all her coworkers are awesome! Mary remembers how each of my cats react when they come in to visit and even though they are very scared her and Dr. Campbell do everything they can to make it go as smoothly as possible for them. Even if I move out of the Dessau area I will continue to bring my cats here!"
    Izzy Roebuck
  • "Doc Campbell and crew show love and understanding for all their patients. We have used their services since 2005 for our fur family."
    Dora Ann Castro Rodriguez