10/21/2026
Every 3 years the American Heartworm Society takes a survey and creates a heartworm incidence map. The maps below show the change from 2022 to 2025, with more cases being reported in Virginia in 2025 than 2022. One of the causes of this increase is the relocation of heartworm positive dogs from down south and other areas where heartworms are more common, as well as infected wild animals (wolves, coyotes, foxes).
Heartworm disease is a serious, potentially fatal condition that dogs can be exposed to by mosquitos. Heartworms are spread only by the bite of an infected mosquito and can not be spread from one dog to another. Heatworms are parasitic worms that can grow up to 12 inches long and can be in the heart, lungs, and blood vessels.
Symptoms of heartworm disease:
- Coughing
- Fatigue, exercise intolerance
- Decreased appetite/Weight loss
- Swollen belly
- Labored breathing
- Heart failure or Lung disease (in serious cases)
With the spread of cases increasing in surrounding areas, it is important to discuss monthly heartworm preventative options. Here at Broadway Veterinary Hospital, we have the following prevention options:
— Interceptor Plus (once a month chew that prevents heartworm disease, roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms)
— Simparica Trio (once a month chew that prevents heartworm disease, fleas, ticks, roundworms, hookworms, and prevents tapeworms by killing the fleas that cause them)
— Credelio Quattro (once a month chew that prevents heartworm disease, fleas, ticks, roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms)
We strongly recommend and encourage all of our clients to use heartworm prevention as well as flea and ticks prevention year round for their dogs.