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Along with October, May is one of the most densely packed months of the year. It's before the summer humidity and the last whole month of the school year. The weather is warming in t...
The solstice on the 20th marks the onset of summer (Northern Hemisphere) or winter (Southern Hemisphere). Many people, particularly in Europe, North America and Asia, will be embarking o...
Spring has sprung in the north, and the first hints of Autumn are on the horizon in the south. April is the month spring (or fall) gets underway, and it is filled with religious celebrations, including the Mu...
National Heartworm Awareness Month focuses on educating pet owners about the dangers and preventative measures they can take to ensure their pets do not become victims of heartworm.
Since the first diagnosis of canine heartworm disease over one hundred years ago, heartworm infection has become a significant health problem affecting pets today.
Heartworm infection is caused by worms (Dirofilaria immitis) that may grow into 14-inch-long adults. These adult worms live in the right side of the heart and the lungs' arteries. Heartworm infection can cause severe damage to these arteries, eventually leading to heart failure and, in extreme cases, damage to other organs, such as the liver and kidneys. Dogs of any age and breed are susceptible to contracting heartworm disease.
While cats appear more resistant to heartworm infection than dogs, with fewer worms surviving into adulthood, they are still susceptible to infection. They can also suffer from the effects of heartworm disease. Cats do not contribute significantly to spreading the infection.
Although the risk of heartworm infection varies from state to state, heartworm disease occurs in all of the contiguous 48 states and Hawaii. It is most concentrated in the southern United States.