Heartworm disease risk varies dramatically by geography and climate, and prevention strategies should be tailored to local risk while maintaining appropriate protection.
Heartworm disease causes profound suffering - progressive pulmonary vascular disease and cardiac failure develop over years before symptoms appear. By the time clinical signs develop, significant irreversible damage has occurred. Year-round prevention in endemic areas is a welfare imperative. Treatment of established infection involves prolonged exercise restriction and significant risks - entirely avoidable through consistent prevention.