Adulticide supplies are available for heartworm-positive dogs.

Reports about supplies of melarsomine have been in the news recently, which may be raising questions about whether supplies of the product are adequate. The news reports were triggered by a bulletin from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that announced their decision to approve a supply of product from Europe for use in the U.S. This was done to help ensure product availability until a supply of U.S.-made product is available.

(Appeared in Veterinary Economics)

You may be surprised to find the incidence of this often-fatal disease is higher than you think—even in your practice.

“You won’t find it if you’re not looking for it.” That’s what Dr. Robert Stannard, owner of Adobe Pet Hospital in Livermore, Calif., and secretary-treasurer for the American Heartworm Society, tells veterinarians when he’s asked about feline heartworm disease.

(Appeared in Veterinary Medicine)

An overview of the highlights from the revised American Heartworm Society's canine and feline guidelines by Stephen Jones, DVM.

"As a veterinarian practicing in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, I deal with heartworm-positive patients nearly every day. Consequently, I've taken a special interest in the long-term effects of heartworm disease. Over the past six years, I have studied necropsy results from dozens of canine and feline patients that either had an active heartworm infection at the time of death or had been treated for heartworm disease during their lifetime..."

(Appeared in Fidose of Reality)

Heartworms kill a great number of dogs. In fact, the American Heartworm Society reports that more than one million dogs currently have heartworm disease. They also report that heartworm is a serious canine and feline health concern that threatens animals in all 48 contiguous states and Hawaii, as well as throughout the temperate regions of the world. April is Heartworm Awareness Month.

(Appeared on BusinessWire)

The American Heartworm Society reminds pet owners to stay in the heartworm-prevention habit, no matter what the season. Contrary to what owners may think, heartworm disease is a year-round threat.

(Appeared at DVM360.com)

An increased emphasis on the importance of heartworm prevention, as well as new scientific information about heartworm resistance, testing and treatment, have prompted the American Heartworm Society (AHS) to revise its guidelines for dogs and cats. The updates to the guidelines were announced during the AHS’s half-day symposium at the North American Veterinary Conference earlier this week.

In certain areas of the United States, most notably the Mississippi Delta region, an inordinate number of dogs have become infected with heartworms while reportedly taking preventive medication. Practitioners diagnosing these unexpected heartworm infections have begun to question the effectiveness of macrocyclic lactones.

The FDA joins the American Heartworm Society in recommending that all dogs and cats, including indoor pets, be placed on year-round heartworm preventatives.

Read More.

Disease potential increases with mild winter and early spring.

Released from the American Heartworm Society Urge Year-Round Prevention