Heartworms are not visible on the outside of the dog. We can see the baby parasite called the microfilaria under our microscope of the blood drop, and we can see the adults in the heart with the naked eye.

Heartworm disease can be painful if the heart is very enlarged or if the migration of the worm suddenly happens and causes some issues in the vessels.

Coughing, exercise intolerance, and even a heart murmur can be signs of heartworm disease.

It can take several months to start seeing actual signs, as it takes anywhere from six to eight months for the larva to reach the adult stage. It can even take up to two years to see any signs.

If dog heartworm is left untreated, the heart will become enlarged due to the number of parasites in the heart. It can cause heart murmurs as well as potential death.

Most of the medication is relatively safe. Just like any medication, there are potential side effects, including GI signs like vomiting and diarrhea, and on rare occasions, depending on the medication, it can increase the seizure threshold. Therefore, any dogs that are prone to seizures may have seizures on certain medications, but not all.

Yes, there are risks associated. However, they are minimal compared to the disease itself. Risks include vomiting and diarrhea, lethargy, which just means very tired, and also soreness at the injection site. On very rare occasions, they can have an allergic reaction to the injection.

Heartworm disease can cause heart murmurs, coughing, enlarged heart, and even death.

Yes, heartworm can be very common in dogs. We see it throughout the whole United States.

Yes, they should get one once a year for a couple of reasons. One is to make sure that prevention is working. Two, just in case something failed, whether it was that your dog spits out the pill you were giving or to make sure there's no lapse. If it does become positive, a lot of times those companies do help it if you are giving prevention.