Heartworm disease causes severe, progressive heart and lung damage in dogs and is largely preventable with regular medication.
Heartworm disease causes progressive, irreversible cardiorespiratory damage that significantly impairs a dog's quality of life. The chronic nature of the condition — months or years of progressive deterioration — makes it a sustained welfare problem when prevention fails or treatment is delayed. Prevention is straightforward, effective, and inexpensive compared to treatment. Welfare-centred dog ownership in endemic regions includes year-round preventive medication, annual testing, and prompt veterinary assessment if clinical signs develop. Treatment of established infection requires activity restriction and medical management over several months — a welfare burden that prevention avoids entirely.