April is Heartworm Awareness Month

April is Heartworm Awareness Month

Heartworm disease is diagnosed mainly in dogs and, less frequently, in cats and ferrets. Heartworms also live in other animal hosts such as wolves, coyotes, foxes, California gray seals, sea lions, and raccoons. It is transmitted through mosquito bites and is dependent on a climate with adequate temperature and humidity to support mosquito populations. In California, winter rains, gray water systems, irrigation, tree planting, commercial, and real estate development, interstate pet movement, and the introduction of non-native mosquitoes have all contributed to increased risk from heartworm disease.