Heartworm Prevention & Risk. Protect your dogs from deadly heartworm disease. Learn about local mosquito risks, testing, and preventative options.

As pet owners in Luther, Oklahoma, we love our wide-open spaces, wooded trails, and farm life. However, living in our beautiful rural environment exposes our dogs to unique health threats—and at the top of that list is heartworm disease.

Heartworm is a silent, progressive, and potentially fatal disease transmitted by mosquitoes. In Oklahoma, our warm, humid summers and abundance of ponds, standing water, and tall grasses create the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes, making heartworm risk an all-year-round concern.

Understanding how heartworm spreads and how to prevent it is crucial for every local dog owner.

How Heartworms Infect Your Dog

The Mosquito Bite: An infected mosquito bites a dog and deposits tiny, microscopic heartworm larvae under the skin.

The Migration: Over the next 6 to 7 months, these larvae migrate through the dog's body, eventually settling in the chambers of the heart and the blood vessels of the lungs.

The Damage: Once fully grown, heartworms can reach up to a foot in length. They clog the blood vessels, restrict blood flow, and cause irreversible damage to the lungs and heart muscle, leading to heart failure.

The Subtle Signs of Heartworm Disease

In the early stages, dogs show no symptoms at all. As the worms multiply and mature, you may notice:

• A mild, persistent cough (especially after exercise).

• Reluctance to play or run (lethargy).

• Decreased appetite and unexplained weight loss.

• In advanced cases, a swollen abdomen (fluid buildup from heart failure) and labored breathing.

The Rule of Prevention: Annual Testing

Preventing heartworm disease is simple, safe, and vastly cheaper than treating it.

The Annual Snap Test ($65.00): Dr. Loomis performs a rapid blood test (4Dx snap test) in your home to screen for heartworms and three major tick-borne bacterial infections.

Why testing is mandatory: You must never start or resume heartworm preventatives without testing first. If an infected dog is given a preventative, it can cause a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction as the microfilariae (baby worms) die off rapidly in the bloodstream.

Easy Preventative Med Delivery

Once Dr. Loomis verifies that your dog is heartworm-free, you can order monthly chewable preventatives (such as Heartgard or Interceptor) through our Online Pharmacy. With auto-ship, you’ll never miss a monthly dose, and orders over $49.00 ship to your Luther home for free.

Published by: Dr. Lisa Loomis, DVM (Lic. #6626)