Alex, a Labrador retriever, lives in a heartworm-endemic state. He has heartworms, but his owners don't know it because the disease is not easily detected until its later stages. Alex travels with his owners on vacation to states where there are fewer incidences of heartworm disease like Alaska. While in Alaska, Alex is bitten by a mosquito, which picks up the heartworm larvae from his bloodstream. Later, the same mosquito bites a healthy local dog, infecting him with heartworm. The cycle continues.
A problem can also result if a dog from a low-incidence state like Alaska travels into a state where heartworm disease thrives, is bitten by a mosquito and then brings the disease back home.
What Does This Mean For All Dog Owners?
Now that greater numbers of people are traveling across the country with their dogs, on vacation or visiting friends and relatives, no state is entirely heartworm-free. Heartworm disease continues to pose a threat to dogs across the United States. Because heartworm disease is potentially fatal, owners should visit their family veterinarian to learn how easy and convenient prevention can be.
When Traveling, Help Protect Your Dog from Heartworm Disease
- Many states require that owners traveling with their dogs obtain an up-to-date health certificate from a licensed veterinarian.
- As a part of the examination, your veterinarian may check for heartworm disease. If your dog is not infected, the veterinarian can recommend preventive measures. Prevention is the key to protecting a dog both at home and away.
- Upon returning home from a trip, owners should revisit their family veterinarian for an examination to make sure their dog did not pick up any parasites, either internal (e.g., heartworm, hookworm, roundworm) or external (fleas and ticks).
- Remember, annual heartworm tests are important whether or not your dog is traveling.
Source: AVMA.org (www.avma.org)
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