A newly released survey from Banfield Pet Hospital indicates that many U.S. pet owners don’t provide heartworm prevention medication, although disease-transmitting mosquitoes exist in all 50 states.
“Research has shown rates of heartworm in pets have continued to trend upward nationwide, despite prevention being safer, easier and less expensive than treating an existing infection,” said Dr. Alea Harrison, Banfield’s chief medical officer.
The survey of 1,000 dog and cat owners found:
- Nearly 40% don’t believe their pet is at risk for heartworm disease.
- Almost 30% said their pet is not on preventive medication.
- 21% don’t believe that mosquitoes in their state carry heartworms.
- 41% think their pet is at risk for infection during only part of the year.
- 51% skip year-round prevention.
- 18% give preventive medication during the spring and summer months only.
- 22% of cat owners knew that felines have no safe heartworm treatment options.
- 32% of dog owners were neutral or unconcerned about heartworm disease since the condition is treatable.
According to Banfield’s data, several states showed higher heartworm disease rates. Among the states and the percentage increases were:
- Delaware: 299%
- Montana: 140%
- Nevada: 101%
- Idaho: 81%
- Utah: 57%
- Washington: 55%
- Arizona: 52%
- Iowa: 35%
- Oregon: 32%
- Rhode Island: 30%
Banfield’s veterinary professionals have seen a 47% increase in feline heartworm disease cases over the past five years.
“Banfield is committed to chasing zero infections of this 100% preventable and life-threatening parasite in partnership with pet owners and the veterinary industry,” Dr. Harrison said.