Lawrence Gerson, VMD, shares his perspective and recommendations for heartworm and other parasites. He references the recent attention to mosquitoes and the Zika virus, the need for year-round prevention and its benefits on other parasite threats to pets and humans.
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, April 23, 2016. (via AVMA SmartBrief, April 25, 2016)
Dogs can be bitten by mosquitoes up to 80 times in a single evening. The current national recommendation is clear that monthly preventative medication should be used year-round. Even during the winter, when heartworm is not a problem in Pittsburgh, using a monthly heartworm product will also protect dogs from roundworm and hookworm infections. Both roundworms and hookworms are a potential threat to humans.
INSIGHTS: It is good to see local veterinarians use a local newspaper to help educate pet owners. Activities of this type extend the value of the veterinarians into communities and beyond the clinic doors or exam rooms.