Ticks and Heartworms in Pets: Why Year-Round Prevention Matters

Parasites don’t follow a calendar. Ticks, heartworms, and other intestinal parasites can affect dogs and cats at any time of year. That’s why annual screenings and preventative medication are critical for pet owners who want to avoid costly treatments and keep their pets safe from life-threatening illnesses.

Find Out Why Annual Screenings and Preventive Medication Matter

Every pet parent knows that creepy bloodsuckers are the enemy. Ticks are becoming more widespread and carry potentially deadly tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease, Ehrlichia, and Anaplasma, while heartworm disease is also fatal and has been found in all 50 states. But what most people don’t know is that fighting parasites during peak outdoor season is not enough. These little monsters never go on vacation, and that’s why your pet needs to be on a monthly preventative, which may include either an over-the-counter or prescription medication. While heartworm prevention always requires a prescription medication from your veterinarian, there are many flea and tick preventatives available over the counter. 

Worried about the money? You’ll actually be saving it in the long run, not to mention sparing you and your pet a whole lot of stress. Diseases like Lyme disease and heartworm infection require extensive (and expensive) treatment. While monthly heartworm preventatives or tick prevention products aren’t necessarily cheap, it’s a drop in the bucket compared to weeks in the hospital or caring for a chronic condition.

To get a prescription, you’ll need to have your pet screened annually. This may sound like a pain, but it’s actually great—tests catch all the things you can’t. After all, heartworm larvae spread by an infected mosquito can grow into adult heartworms silently, and heartworm disease has zero symptoms in the early stages. Tick-borne illnesses also need to be caught as quickly as possible to prevent complications like chronic kidney disease, lung disease, or even heart failure.

In the end, it’s better to test your pet, not your luck. If you’re ready to schedule your pet’s annual testing for heartworm disease and tick-borne illness, check out our Mobile Vet Clinics. And remember, while puppies don’t need testing, they can still start heartworm prevention medications safely.

Extra Heartworm and Tick Prevention Tips for Pet Owners

• Talk to your vet about FDA-approved options like Heartgard® or other dewormer treatments.

• Some pets may benefit from injectable preventives instead of monthly pills.

• If your dog tests positive, ask about treatment plans and possible side effects.

• Watch for warning signs such as coughing, weight loss, or fatigue — they may indicate advanced heartworm infection.

• Annual blood tests give peace of mind and ensure prevention is working.

By staying proactive with preventative medication and annual screenings, you’ll protect your pet from parasites that never take time off.