Heartworms are transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. When a mosquito bites an infected dog, it draws blood that contains immature heartworms. These heartworms mature inside the mosquito to become infective larvae. Those larvae then get passed on to other dogs through the infected mosquito.
Every infected dog increases the risk of infection for other dogs in the neighborhood. Especially in Texas, where dogs are at risk year-around due to our high mosquito population.
When a dog is first infested with heartworms there are no visible or detectable signs. We strongly recommend getting your dog tested for heartworms every year. With heartworm disease, quick treatment is crucial to prevent irreversible tissue damage. The longer your dog has heartworms, the more complications with treatment and the greater damage is done to your pet’s heart and lungs.