Pet Heartworm & Flea/Tick Prevention

Heartworm Disease

Heartworm disease is an infectious disease spread by mosquitoes. A mosquito carrying the heartworm larvae essentially injects these microscopic larvae into your dog by way of a mosquito bite. The larvae mature into adult heartworms that can grow to a foot long. The adult worms set up shop in the heart, preventing proper functioning of the heart and eventually sending the dog into congestive heart failure.

While heartworm disease has long been present in New England, we have seen a recent uptick in cases in our area, likely riding in on the coattails of rescue dogs brought to New England from other parts of the country where heartworm disease is prevalent.

Heartworm Testing

Heartworm testing should be done once a year. This simple blood test checks for heartworm and also screens for common tick-borne diseases seen in the area, such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ehrlichia, and anaplasmosis.

Heartworm Prevention

We have a very effective preventive measure to protect your dog against heartworm: a once-monthly, flavored, chewable medication that most dogs eat as a treat. This medication works very well at keeping your dog from getting heartworm disease and also treats intestinal parasites at the same time.

Heartworm prevention is critically important because treatment of heartworm disease is expensive and carries with it some risks and discomfort for your dog. Further, in recent years we have seen growing resistance to the treatment protocol. Thus it is important to give the once-monthly heartworm preventive regularly and year-round.

Ticks

Ticks in Massachusetts carry a host of diseases — not just Lyme disease but other diseases (like Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ehrlichia, and anaplasmosis) that can make dogs very sick and can be difficult to treat, particularly in their advanced stages. We routinely screen for these diseases as part of the heartworm testing discussed above, but our best strategy is to prevent them by keeping the ticks away.

Fleas

Flea infestations can trigger severe skin allergies in dogs and cats, and fleas are the most common way dogs and cats contract tapeworms, an intestinal parasite. Fleas can bite people as well, particularly when the fleas have moved beyond your pets and into your carpeting and furniture.

Prevention

We offer two excellent options for long-lasting flea and tick protection.

Bravecto Chew (for dogs)

Bravecto is a convenient chewable tablet that protects dogs against fleas and ticks for a full 12 weeks. We’ll prescribe Bravecto through our online pharmacy, and to keep things simple, we recommend enrolling in auto-shipment so a new chew arrives every 12 weeks right on schedule. When it shows up, just give the chew to your dog—and they’re protected for the next three months.

Bravecto Quantum Injection (for dogs)

For families who prefer a “set-it-and-forget-it” approach, we also offer Bravecto Quantum, a once-a-year injection that provides 12 full months of flea and tick protection. We can administer this during your dog’s annual wellness visit, eliminating the need to remember quarterly doses.

Bravecto for Cats (topical)

For cats, Bravecto comes as a topical treatment that has been highly effective in our area. Indoor-only cats usually don’t need flea prevention, but if your cat goes outdoors—or has contact with pets who do—we recommend treating them with topical Bravecto for reliable protection.