10/28/2026
We would like to introduce you to Butters! 🧈🐾
In the beginning of the Summer, Butters had tested positive for heart worm. With the approval of his owners, we are able to share his story and spread awareness of the disease and hopefully educate others!
Heartworm is a serious and potentially fatal disease caused by long-worms that reside in the heart, lungs, and blood vessels. These parasites can cause severe lung disease, heart failure and damage to other major organs within the body. Dogs are known to be a natural host, but it has been reported that cats, ferrets and wild animals such as coyotes, foxes and even sea lions can contract heartworm. If left untreated, heartworm can continue producing offspring and further negatively affecting the animal’s health and quality of life even long after the worms are gone. So I guess you are wondering how in the world can my pet come in contact with heartworm?
The answer : mosquitos! 🦟 Those little pesky insects may bite an animal and in the process of getting a meal, can pick up microscopic baby worms (microfilaria). Then that same mosquito will bite another animal and transfer to a new host through that bite wound. Once inside a new host, it can take up to 6 months for larvae to mature into adult heartworms. In that time, an animal might not show any signs, and our friend Butters was one of them! However, the longer the disease persists, the more likely symptoms will develop. Active dogs especially, heavily heartworm infected dogs or those with other health issues may see more pronounced symptoms.
We are very lucky that there a preventative approaches from contracting heartworm! At each and every healthy visit, we offer physical exams, vaccines, deworming and bloodwork. In our bloodwork panels, there lies the heartworm test. A technician will drawn up some blood and will run said blood. Based on the location or lack of indication markers, it will notify veterinary professionals of heartworm and 3 tick born diseases (Lyme, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis). Once there is a heartworm test on file, we can dispense a year’s worth of heartworm medication!
If you have any questions or believe your dog is due for a heartworm test, please give the clinic a call at (716) 754-7422. 📞🗣️