Heartworm is considered at least regionally endemic in the 48 contiguous United States as well as Hawaii and Puerto Rico, according to the American Heartworm Society (AHS). Despite prevalence of this life-threatening parasite trending upward in the general pet population, myths about risk and seasonality continue to proliferate among pet owners, leading to gaps in protection.
Insights from a new Banfield survey of 1,000 U.S. cat and dog owners found nearly 40% don’t believe their pet is at risk of getting heartworms and nearly 30% said their pet is not on heartworm prevention. Additionally, 21% of pet owners don’t believe the mosquitos in their state carry the parasite, despite heartworm cases being diagnosed in all 50 states.
Further, new data from the more than 3 million pets Banfield sees every year found rates of heartworm diagnoses in dogs and cats seen in our practices in 2023 stayed the same across all four seasons, with thousands of pets diagnosed in spring, summer, fall and winter.
As we continue to ‘chase zero’ infections of this 100% preventable parasite in partnership with pet owners and the profession, Banfield incorporated year-round heartworm prevention administration into our quality assessment in 2023. As a result of our efforts, prevalence of heartworm infection dropped by more than 10% across our hospitals last year.
Below are learnings and tips we hope will help other practices across the nation implement their own heartworm reduction initiatives.
- Be aware of heartworm incidence in your region and across the nation – and how it is changing over time. The AHS provides detailed heartworm incidence maps that are updated every 3 years. The latest survey map reflects heartworm testing done during 2022 and shows that rates continued to trend upward in both heartworm “hot spots” and places where it was once rare.
- Monitor heartworm prevalence at your hospital. The AHS incidence maps are created using data from heartworm antigen tests collected from veterinary practices and shelters across the country on a voluntary basis. Tallying test results at your own practice can help you set your baseline and see how well your initiative is working.
- Act locally. Cases are rising even in areas where heartworm incidence was historically low. If heartworm is not currently endemic in your region, try to keep it that way.
- Involve the whole team. While a veterinarian must prescribe heartworm prevention, veterinary technicians and assistants can discuss the medications with clients and emphasize the need for year-round administration. Receptionists and office managers can point out when refills are due and help clients obtain them.
- Keep it top of mind. Make heartworm prevention a regular topic of discussion internally and externally. The AHS has a wealth of information and educational tools available on heartworm management aimed at both hospital teams and pet owners.
- Engage your pharma reps. The companies who manufacture and/or distribute heartworm prevention medications are a great resource for information and communication materials.
The geographic distribution of heartworm seems to be changing, as it spreads to regions where it was once considered rare. An influx of heartworm-positive pets between areas and an increasing frequency of weather conditions conducive to mosquito proliferation, driven in part by climate change, are probable contributors to its spread.
Preventing heartworm infection not only saves lives but also avoids the short- and long-term negative health impacts of this parasite. Even after successful treatment of heartworm infection, new peer-reviewed research leveraging Banfield data found dogs are more likely to have long-term cardiac damage compared to those that were never infected at all.
Reducing heartworm infection is a continuing focus for Banfield – including intentional effort to promote adherence to the AHS heartworm guidelines, which call for annual parasite testing and year-round administration of preventive medication – and we encourage others in the veterinary profession to join us.