Veterinarian Service
Pet Heartworm Veterinary Service in Lindstrom, MN
People often use the word “heart” to describe love, strength, and courage – qualities many of us can readily see in our beloved pets. But animals’ hearts also pump the blood that makes their lives possible, and this vital organ can be threatened by a parasitic infestation known as heartworm.
What is Heartworm?
Heartworm disease is a serious and possibly fatal disease for dogs and cats. It is caused by foot-long worms (heartworms) that live in the heart, lungs and associated blood vessels of affected pets, causing severe lung disease, heart failure and damage to other organs in the body. Heartworm disease affects dogs, cats and ferrets, but heartworms also live in other mammal species, including wolves, coyotes, foxes, sea lions and—in rare instances—humans. Because wild species such as foxes and coyotes live in proximity to many urban areas, they are considered important carriers of the disease.