Companion Animal Welfare

Dog Heartworm Prevention and Welfare

Canine heartworm disease causes severe cardiac and respiratory welfare harm and is entirely preventable through regular prophylactic medication.

Key Facts

Heartworm Dirofilaria immitis is transmitted by mosquitoes and endemic in tropical and subtropical regions
Adult worms in the heart and pulmonary arteries cause progressive cardiorespiratory failure
Monthly prophylactic medication prevents infection but cannot kill adult worms
Treatment of established infection is costly and carries mortality risk from dying worms
Heartworm is expanding its range as climate change enables mosquito population spread

Welfare Considerations

Heartworm disease causes progressive and ultimately fatal cardiorespiratory failure. The welfare harm is entirely preventable through regular prophylactic medication in endemic areas. As heartworm range expands with climate change, awareness and prevention in traditionally non-endemic areas is increasingly important.

What You Can Do

Use monthly heartworm prevention medication for dogs in endemic regions
Consult your vet about heartworm risk in your area and appropriate prevention
Test dogs before starting prevention if already potentially exposed