Heartworm Prevention in East Cobb, Marietta, GA, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - East Cobb Marietta is a vet in East Cobb that prescribes heartworm prevention for dogs and cats. In Georgia, the vet recommends giving it every month of the year, because mosquitoes that carry heartworm can show up even on warm winter days.

Heartworms are long worms that live in the heart and lungs. They spread through mosquito bites, not from pet to pet, and one missed month can be enough.

Call (678) 539-8441 or book online. Walk-ins are welcome.

Does my dog need heartworm prevention all year in Georgia?

Yes. Every dog in East Cobb should take heartworm prevention all year. Georgia was among the top ten states for heartworm cases in the American Heartworm Society's 2025 incidence survey. Our long, humid summers and mild winters give mosquitoes many months to bite. Prevention works by killing young worms picked up in the past month, so gaps leave a window open.

What kinds of prevention are there?

The vet at Petfolk East Cobb will help you pick a form that fits your routine:

• Monthly chews that many dogs take like a treat. Some also cover fleas, ticks and gut worms in one dose.

• Monthly topical liquids put on the skin, often used for cats.

• A long-lasting injection for dogs, given at the clinic, so there is no monthly dose to remember.

Across Petfolk, 85% of dog parasite-prevention purchases are Simparica Trio, which covers heartworm, fleas, ticks and some gut worms in one chew, and about 6% are the ProHeart 12 injection (Oct 2025 to Sep 2026). For cats, 88% of purchases are Revolution Plus. The right one depends on your pet's age, weight and health.

Do cats need heartworm prevention too?

Yes. Cats can get heartworm, even indoor cats, since mosquitoes come inside. There is no approved treatment for heartworm in cats, so prevention is the only protection. A monthly topical often covers fleas and some worms too.

Starting and staying on track

Puppies and kittens can start prevention at about 8 weeks old. Dogs older than about 7 months need a heartworm test before starting, so the vet knows they are not already infected. See heartworm testing in East Cobb for how that test works.

Tips that keep the dose on time:

1. Pick one date each month, like the first, and set a phone reminder.

2. Weigh your dog once or twice a year, since dose goes by weight.

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

The injection, for dogs who get it, is given at the clinic with Fear Free handling, which is standard at every Petfolk clinic. Treats and a calm hold make it quick.

You can tell they are about your pet’s health and not just about money.

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Local walks and mosquito season

Mosquitoes breed in standing water near creeks, ponds and the Chattahoochee River, and in backyard planters after a rain. Dogs who walk the river trails or the wooded paths at Sweat Mountain Park meet plenty of them. Emptying standing water at home helps, but it does not replace prevention.

Cost of heartworm prevention

Prevention at Petfolk East Cobb is priced by product and your pet's weight, and it is filled at the on-site pharmacy. A wellness exam starts at $99, or is included with a PetfolkCare membership, which starts at $199 a year. You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit.

Warning signs

A soft cough, tiring fast on walks or weight loss can mean heartworm disease in a dog. Call Petfolk East Cobb for a visit. If your pet collapses or struggles to breathe, go to a 24-hour emergency hospital such as Dogwood Veterinary Specialty and Emergency on Powers Ferry Common SE in Marietta.

Pick up prevention

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - East Cobb Marietta is at 4475 Roswell Rd, Suite 1420, Marietta, GA 30062. Call (678) 539-8441 to refill or start prevention.

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