April is Heartworm & Lyme Awareness Month: Keep Your Dog Safe This Spring
Why Heartworm and Tick‑Borne Diseases Matter
Heartworm and tick-borne diseases pose a real and ongoing threat to our canine companions.
How Common Are These Diseases in Pennsylvania?
While heartworm disease is less common in Pennsylvania than in other parts of the country, it is still present. According to the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC), approximately 1 in 300 dogs in PA tests positive each year.
Tick-borne diseases, however, are extremely prevalent in our region. The Northeast has the highest rates in the country. CAPC data shows:
Fast Facts for PA Dog Owners
- 1 in 11 dogs tests positive for Lyme disease
- 1 in 6 for Anaplasmosis
- 1 in 100 for Ehrlichiosis
We have even seen dogs test positive for all three at the same time.
Annual testing and year-round prevention in dogs are essential
Thanks to a generous grant, we are currently offering annual testing and a 30-day supply of heartworm and flea/tick prevention at no cost to eligible families.
(Please note: the office exam fee and any additional services still apply.)
How Heartworm Disease Happens
The Role of Mosquitoes
Heartworm disease begins with a single mosquito bite. Infected mosquitoes deposit microscopic larvae into the bloodstream.
These larvae migrate to the heart and pulmonary vessels, where they mature into adult worms. Over time, they obstruct blood flow and lead to serious cardiovascular disease and pulmonary hypertension. Adult heartworms can live for 5–7 years and continue reproducing.
Why Prevention Is More Effective Than Treatment
Prevention works by eliminating the larval stage before it can mature -stopping the disease before it starts.
Protect your dog from heartworm and lyme and other tick-borne diseases. Prevention is simple and affordable.
Understanding Tick‑Borne Diseases in Dogs
🕷️Lyme Disease
(Borrelia burgdorferi), transmitted by deer ticks after 24–48 hours of attachment, can cause joint pain, fever, decreased appetite, and weight loss, often appearing months after infection. In severe cases, it can lead to kidney failure.
🧬Anaplasmosis
(Anaplasma phagocytophilum and A. platys) affects white blood cells or platelets and can lead to immune dysfunction and bleeding disorders.
👁️Ehrlichiosis
Transmitted by brown dog ticks, presents with similar early symptoms but can progress to a chronic phase involving neurological and ocular complications.
Disease | Transmitted By | Key Symptoms | Prevention |
|---|---|---|---|
Heartworm | Mosquito | Coughing, fatigue, heart failure | Monthly heartworm meds |
Lyme | Deer tick | Joint pain, fever, kidney issues | Tick prevention + testing |
Anaplasmosis | Deer tick | Lethargy, bleeding disorders | Tick prevention |
Ehrlichiosis | Brown dog tick | Fever, neurological issues | Tick prevention |
Heartworm & Lyme Prevention for Dogs
Many flea preventives also provide tick protection by preventing ticks from biting.
Heartworm Prevention (Iverhart Plus)
Flea & Tick Protection (K9 Advantix II)
These are the products included in the 30-day supply covered by the grant.
Additional options are available through our online pharmacy
Take the Next Step to Protect Your Dog
Protecting your dog is simple, but it requires consistency. Prevention is far easier – and far less costly – than treatment.
