Addressing pandemic-related lapses in heartworm prophylaxis

By Tom Nelson, DVM

When the COVID pandemic hit North America in March, the immediate goal of government leaders and public health officials was to preserve personal protective equipment (PPE) and avoid overwhelming human health-care systems. Lines were quickly drawn between “essential” and “nonessential” services, with definitions varying from state to state. In most states, veterinary personnel were considered essential workers and pet owners were allowed continued access to veterinary care; however, for a time, this was limited for many to emergency medical services.

As practices resume routine wellness checks, veterinarians should ensure patients are protected from parasites, AHS says

While the COVID pandemic is not yet over, for veterinarians, it continues to be “business as usual” for heartworm prevention.

(BPT) - Whether fall is when you switch out your exercise regimen or schedule your annual flu shot, staying healthy is at the top of most “to do” lists right now. Just remember your four-legged family members when considering seasonal changes to your wellness program. Fall is the perfect time to take steps to keep pets healthy, too.

An American Heartworm Society survey of approximately 6,000 veterinary practices and shelters determined that heartworm disease continues to be diagnosed in all 50 states.

Heartworm management is a cornerstone of pet health care, but the need to reduce the risk of the COVID-19 virus has triggered questions from veterinarians. The American Heartworm Society has released recommendations to help.

Heartworm disease is a devastating disease that starts with a single mosquito bite. Learn how pets get heartworms—and how heartworms can be prevented.

The American Heartworm Society is the veterinary profession’s leading resource on heartworm information. Our guidelines for heartworm management in dogs and cats incorporate the latest science and expert recommendations.

By Greg Cima

Heartworm disease became more common in hot spots across the U.S. and remained prevalent in the Southeast, Gulf Coast, and lower Mississippi Valley.

Dr. Chris Duke, president of the American Heartworm Society, said the organization’s 2019 survey showed rising numbers of infections with Dirofilaria immitis in Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, and Minneapolis, as well as in smaller cities such as Durant, Oklahoma, and Redding, California.

Veterinarians are concerned that the limitations of COVD-19 has placed on veterinary services could lead to a decline in preventive health care for pets by Graham Garrison

Pandemic or no, now is not the time for the veterinary community to take its collective eye off the importance of heartworm prevention.  That was the message of the American Heartworm Society (AHS) this spring as it announced the results of the 2019 AHS Heartworm Incidence Survey and unveiled a new incidence map drawn from the data of nearly 6,000 U.S. veterinary practices and shelters last year.