Paws & Ponder: Hearts are for loving, not worms

Your dogs have questions! Our dogs have answers!

Your friendly neighborhood canine correspondent, Beaubien the Bully Mix (or Beau, for short), is back to dish out advice from one pup to another in our doggie advice column: advice from a dog to a dog! Whether your dog is a mischievous mutt, a pampered pooch, or a sophisticated schnauzer, this column is your dog’s go-to spot for all doggie dilemmas!

Dear Beau,

My hoomans have been talking a lot about something called "Heartworm Awareness Month" and telling me how lucky I am that they are able to give me those special meaty treats each month so that I don't get sick.

Beau, I have so many questions. First, what the heck are heartworms, and how do I get them?

Can my doggy pals or other pets get heartworms from me? What about my hoomans? 

Is it safe to adopt a pet with heartworms? What if no one wants to adopt my shelter pals with  heartworms? That would make me so sad.

What's the best way to prevent heartworms? Finally, why do I only get those special meaty treats once a month?? Those things are amazing!

Yours,

Dilly Bar

Dear Dilly Bar,

How paw-some that your hoomans are looking out for you during Heartworm Awareness Month! Those special meaty treats they give you each month are actually to prevent heartworm disease. Let me fetch some answers for you:

Heartworms are icky parasites that live in the heart and blood vessels of pets, and they're spread by mosquitoes. When an infected mosquito bites a pet, it can pass the larvae into their bloodstream, where they grow into adult worms over time. If not treated, you can get very sick and even die. :( But good news! Heartworm disease is not directly contagious between pets or from pets to hoomans (it's spread only through mosquito bites) AND it's 100% preventable!

Adopting a pet with heartworm disease IS safe with proper treatment. The good news for your heartworm-positive shelter pals is, Friends of DACC covers treatment costs for them, and it's a pretty straightforward process! Most importantly, your pals will need a commitment of their new hoomans' time and patience while they are being treated. When treating a dog for heartworm it is super important to restrict their exercise and movement, because exercise increases the heartworm activity and damage to the lungs and heart.

Remember, heartworm disease is 100% preventable! Preventing heartworms is best done with monthly medication, like those tasty treats you love! It's SOOO important to keep up with this routine to protect yourself. As for why you only get those special treats once a month, it's because the medication needs to be given regularly to be effective. Plus, it's a fun monthly event for you to look forward to!

Keep wagging that tail, Dilly, and stay safe from heartworms!

Woofingly yours,

Beau