Heartworm Prevention
Heartworm Prevention for Dogs
Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal condition caused by foot-long parasitic worms that live in a dog’s heart, lungs, and blood vessels. These worms are transmitted by mosquito bites, and just one bite from an infected mosquito can put your dog at risk.
Why Heartworm Disease is Dangerous
Once inside your dog, heartworms mature and reproduce, causing damage to vital organs. Symptoms of heartworm disease can include:
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Persistent coughing
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Fatigue or reduced activity
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Difficulty breathing
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In severe cases, heart failure and death
Even with treatment, heartworm disease can cause lasting damage. Left untreated, it is often fatal, and treatment is costly, complicated, and stressful for your pet.
Early Detection with the 4Dx SNAP Test
The 4Dx SNAP test is a crucial tool for early detection of four dangerous vector-borne diseases:
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Heartworm disease
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Lyme disease
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Ehrlichiosis
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Anaplasmosis
Early diagnosis is vital for timely treatment and can prevent severe complications such as heart damage, kidney failure, and other chronic or fatal health issues. Regular annual testing ensures your dog receives appropriate preventive care, even if they show no initial symptoms.
Prevention is Simple
The good news? Heartworm disease is completely preventable. At Carberry Vet Clinic, we recommend HEARTGARD® Plus chews for prevention. These monthly chews:
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Prevent heartworm disease
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Treat and control 5 species of intestinal worms*
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Are dog-preferred, made with real beef
Heartworm prevention is easy, safe, and highly effective — and dogs usually love taking their monthly chew!
How Prevention Works
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Heartworm season in Manitoba runs from May to November
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Prevention is given once a month during the season
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For growing puppies, monthly chews are prescribed based on their weight
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HEARTGARD Plus is a prescription medication, requiring an up-to-date annual exam to dispense
By keeping up with prevention and testing, you can protect your dog from serious, life-threatening diseases while also treating common intestinal parasites.
Our Mission
At Carberry Vet Clinic, we are committed to helping your dog live a long, healthy, and active life. Prevention and early detection are easier, safer, and less costly than treatment — and keeping your pet protected from heartworm and other vector-borne diseases is one of the most important steps you can take.