Despite mosquitoes that transmit disease being present in all 50 U.S. states and increases in heartworm incidence in cats and dogs, a Banfield survey reveals nearly 40 percent of pet owners don’t believe their pet is at risk for heartworm disease and almost 30 percent have not put their pet on a preventive medication.
Source: Today’s Veterinary Practice, April 8, 2024. Link.
Banfield’s veterinary professionals have seen a 47 percent increase in feline heartworm disease cases over the past five years.”
Commentary: The media has been replete with trends and stats about how pet parents are taking their pets’ health more seriously. Yet, there is an obvious disconnect between the prevention rates versus the risk factors and heartworm disease cases. We have to stay diligently focused on the basics of educating clients and pushing compliance.
Consider: Our human tendencies often require we experience risk before we do something about it. On a local basis, practices might be well advised to notify local media when heartworm cases cross the exam table. Making the problem local could advance the importance of preventing versus treating for heartworm disease.
Also see: Search results for: heartworm, AHD archives. Link.
