Alldredge Veterinary Hospital

Heartworm Prevention: A Medical Necessity in East Texas

Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal condition that affects dogs throughout East Texas. Our warm climate, high humidity, and long mosquito season create ideal conditions for heartworm transmission year-round. Unlike colder regions, there is no safe “off season” for heartworms here.

How Dogs Get Heartworms

Heartworms are spread through mosquito bites. When a mosquito carrying heartworm larvae bites a dog, those larvae mature over several months into adult worms that live in the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels. Once present, heartworms can cause permanent damage and, if untreated, can be fatal.

Why East Texas Dogs Are at High Risk
• Mosquitoes are present most of the year
• Standing water after rainfall increases mosquito populations
• Both indoor and outdoor dogs are exposed
• Wildlife (such as coyotes and foxes) helps maintain heartworm spread

Because of these factors, year-round heartworm prevention is essential for all dogs in East Texas.

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Prevention Is Safer Than Treatment

Heartworm prevention:
• Is highly effective
• Is far safer than heartworm treatment
• Costs significantly less than treating heartworm disease

Heartworm treatment is expensive, lengthy, and requires strict exercise restriction for several months. Even after treatment, some dogs are left with permanent heart or lung damage.

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Long-Lasting, Convenient Prevention Options

🩺 ProHeart® 12
• A once-yearly injection
• Given by a veterinarian in the clinic
• Provides 12 months of continuous heartworm prevention
• Helps eliminate missed monthly doses

🐶 Bravecto® Quantum
• A once-yearly injectable heartworm preventive
• Also provides long-lasting flea protection
• Administered by your veterinarian
• Ideal for busy families or dogs difficult to medicate at home

Our veterinary team will help you choose the option best suited to your dog’s health and lifestyle.

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Annual Heartworm Testing Still Matters

Even dogs on year-round prevention should be tested once a year. Missed doses, delayed injections, or prior exposure before prevention began can allow infection to occur. Annual testing allows early detection and better outcomes.

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Our Recommendation

For dogs in East Texas, we strongly recommend:
• Year-round heartworm prevention
• Annual heartworm testing
• Consistent veterinary-guided parasite control

Heartworm disease is preventable. In East Texas, prevention isn’t optional—it’s essential.

📞 Please contact our hospital if you have questions or would like to schedule heartworm testing or prevention.
281-592-8387

We have 4 cute and cuddly kittens that around around 5 days old, they are looking for their furever homes 🏠 🐱

On behalf of everyone at Alldredge Veterinary Hospital 🦃, we wish you a joyous Thanksgiving. Please note that our hospital will be closed November 28th-December 1st.