Heartworm Prevention in Far North Central San Antonio, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Far North Central is a vet in San Antonio, TX, that prescribes heartworm prevention for dogs and cats. In Texas, the vet recommends giving it every month of the year, with no winter break.

Heartworms are spread by mosquito bites. Once worms grow in the heart and lungs, treatment for dogs is long and hard, and there's no approved treatment for cats. Prevention is far easier.

Call (726) 600-3009 or book online. Walk-ins are welcome.

Why does my pet need heartworm prevention all year in San Antonio?

Texas had the highest heartworm incidence in the country in the American Heartworm Society's survey of 2025 testing data. San Antonio's mild winters mean mosquitoes can show up on any warm week, and Texas A&M's diagnostic lab notes that heavy rains boost mosquito numbers and heartworm risk. A missed month in January is a real gap, not a safe skip.

At Petfolk Far North Central, the vet recommends year-round prevention for every dog and for cats too.

Which heartworm preventive is right for my dog?

Petfolk Far North Central offers a few kinds, and the vet helps you choose:

• Monthly chewables. Easy for most dogs, and some also cover fleas, ticks and intestinal worms in one treat.

• Injectable prevention. One shot covers months at a time, so there's nothing to remember at home.

• Monthly topicals. Useful for cats and for dogs who won't take a chew.

Across Petfolk, about 85% of dog parasite-prevention purchases are a single monthly chew that covers heartworm, fleas and ticks, and about 6% are a 12-month heartworm injection (Oct 1, 2025 to Sep 30, 2026). The right choice depends on your pet's weight, health and your routine.

The exam and vaccinations were quick and efficient and I got some great advice on weight control.

Courtney W., Google review

Weight matters here too. Preventives are dosed by weight bands, so a dog who gained or lost a few pounds may need a new box size.

Do indoor cats need heartworm prevention?

Yes, the vet usually recommends it. Mosquitoes come indoors, especially in a city with long warm seasons like San Antonio. In cats, even one or two worms can cause coughing, breathing trouble or sudden illness, and there's no approved cure. A monthly topical often covers fleas and some intestinal worms at the same time.

Starting or restarting prevention

1. Test first (dogs). Dogs older than about 7 months get a heartworm test before starting, and again if doses were missed. See heartworm testing in Far North Central.

2. Get the right dose. The team weighs your pet at Petfolk Far North Central.

3. Pick a reminder. Same date every month, or a shot that lasts longer.

4. Retest yearly. No preventive is perfect, and a missed or spit-out dose happens.

Fear Free handling is standard at every Petfolk clinic, so the blood draw and weigh-in go gently.

What does heartworm prevention cost?

At Petfolk Far North Central, the price depends on your pet's weight and which product you choose. Many families find a monthly product costs far less over a lifetime than treatment would. You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit. The on-site pharmacy fills prevention the same day, and PetfolkCare starts at $199 a year.

If you missed a dose

Give the dose as soon as you remember and call Petfolk Far North Central. Depending on how long it's been, the vet may suggest a test in about six months. A dog who coughs, tires fast on walks or has a swollen belly should be seen soon; sudden collapse or labored breathing needs a 24-hour hospital such as BluePearl Pet Hospital Stone Oak.

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Far North Central is at 18206 Blanco Rd, Suite 104, San Antonio, TX 78258. Call (726) 600-3009.

Book a visit at Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Far North Central, or see all veterinary services in Far North Central.