Heartworm Prevention in Boynton Beach, FL, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Boynton Beach is a vet in Boynton Beach, FL, that helps dogs and cats stay protected from heartworm. Heartworm is a parasite spread by mosquito bites. It grows in the heart and lungs and can do lasting damage before a pet shows any signs.

In South Florida, mosquitoes are active almost all year, so the vet recommends prevention every month of the year, not just in summer.

Call (561) 200-1214, book online or walk in to start prevention.

How common is heartworm in Florida?

Common enough that every dog here should be on prevention. Florida is one of the top ten states for heartworm cases in the American Heartworm Society's latest incidence survey, and Southwest Florida showed up as a new hot spot. The Petfolk Boynton Beach clinic page lists mosquito-borne problems among the common local concerns, because lakes, canals and summer rain give mosquitoes plenty of places to breed.

What heartworm preventives are there?

At Petfolk Boynton Beach, the vet will help you choose:

• Monthly chewables for dogs, many of which also cover fleas, ticks and some intestinal worms. Across Petfolk, Simparica Trio makes up about 85% of dog parasite-prevention purchases (Oct 2025 to Sep 2026).

• An injection that lasts 12 months for dogs (ProHeart 12), given at the clinic. It is about 6% of dog purchases across Petfolk.

• Monthly topical products for cats, which also cover fleas. Across Petfolk, 88% of cat parasite-prevention purchases are Revolution Plus.

The best choice depends on your pet's age, weight, other medicines and how easy it is for your family to give.

Does my dog need a test before starting?

Yes. Dogs 7 months and older should have a heartworm test before starting or restarting prevention. Giving prevention to a dog who already has adult heartworms can cause a reaction, and the dog would need treatment instead. After that, a yearly test checks that prevention is working.

Puppies can start prevention at about 8 weeks without a test.

If your dog has been off prevention for a while, don't just restart the pills. Book a test first, then the vet will tell you when to start again and when to retest. Rescue dogs and dogs moving from another state should be tested at their first visit, because their history is often unknown.

Indoor cats need it too

The vet often recommends prevention for indoor cats. Mosquitoes get indoors, especially in homes with screened lanais and sliding doors. There is no approved treatment for heartworm in cats, so prevention is the only protection. Many cat products cover fleas too.

What does heartworm prevention cost?

The price depends on your pet's weight and the product. At Petfolk Boynton Beach, a wellness exam starts at $99, or is free with PetfolkCare, which starts at $199 a year. Prevention and testing are priced separately. You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit.

I also appreciate the transparency when it comes to pricing.

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Make it a habit

• Give the dose on the same day each month, such as the 1st.

• Set a phone reminder.

• If you miss a dose, give it as soon as you remember and call the clinic.

• Weigh puppies often, because the dose changes as they grow.

Fear Free handling is standard here, so even the yearly test and any injection go smoothly.

Signs of heartworm disease

Coughing, tiring fast on walks, weight loss or a swollen belly can mean heartworm disease. Call the clinic for a test. If your pet collapses or struggles to breathe, go to a 24-hour emergency hospital, such as Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) on North Congress Avenue.

Start prevention

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Boynton Beach is at 7375 Boynton Beach Blvd, Suite 435, Boynton Beach, FL 33437. Call (561) 200-1214. See heartworm testing in Boynton Beach and flea and tick prevention in Boynton Beach.

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