Heartworms are transmitted to dogs by mosquitos. Without the protection of a heartworm preventative, your pet could get heartworm disease

-a potentially deadly illness of heart and lungs.

Heartworm larvae are transmitted by infected mosquitoes that bite the dog and deposit heartworm larvae on the dog's skin. The larvae migrate through the tissue and into the bloodstream of the dog where they continue developing. By the time clinical signs of heartworm disease appear, the disease can already be in its advanced stages.

Heartworms spend their adult lives in the right side of the heart and the large blood vessels that connect the heart to the lungs. The adult worms block the heart and major blood vessels leading from the heart to the lungs, liver, and kidneys and can grow up to 12 inches long.

All dogs are at risk for heartworm disease no matter where they live. Once a dog is infected with heartworms, treatment can be expensive, difficult and unsuccessful.

The disease has spread to every corner of the U.S. and hundreds of thousands of cases are reported every year. Heartworm disease can be prevented by administering an effective heartworm preventative year-round. Protecting your dog against heartworms and heartworm disease can be convenient, simple, and affordable.