Heartworm Prevention in Fulshear, TX, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Fulshear is a vet in Fulshear, TX, that sets up heartworm prevention for dogs and cats. On the Texas Gulf Coast, every dog and cat should be on prevention all year, with no winter break.

Heartworms are long worms that live in the heart and lungs. They spread through mosquito bites, and treating an infected dog is long and hard on the body. Preventing them is simple by comparison.

Call (281) 214-6363, book online or walk in.

Why is heartworm such a risk in Fulshear?

Fulshear sits in the warm, wet Houston area, where mosquitoes are active for most of the year. Texas ranked first in the nation for heartworm cases in the American Heartworm Society's survey of 2025 testing data. Texas A&M's diagnostic lab also notes that heavy rain raises mosquito numbers, which raises heartworm risk for dogs and cats.

Mosquito season in Fort Bend County was busy in 2026. The county's health department confirmed its first human West Nile virus case of the year on July 1, with 36 positive mosquito samples countywide by then. The mosquitoes that spread West Nile can also carry heartworm larvae.

What heartworm prevention options are there?

Petfolk Fulshear helps you choose a product that fits your pet and your routine. The main types are:

1. Monthly chewables for dogs. Many also cover fleas, ticks and some intestinal worms in one dose. Across Petfolk, 85% of dog parasite-prevention purchases are Simparica Trio.

2. A long-acting injection for dogs. Given at the clinic, it lasts for months, so there is no monthly dose to forget. Across Petfolk, about 6% of dog prevention purchases are ProHeart 12.

3. Monthly topical products for cats. Applied to the skin on the back of the neck.

Every product is dosed by weight, so the vet weighs your pet first. Puppies and kittens move up a dose as they grow.

Cats get heartworm too

Cats are not the usual host, but they can still be infected, and there is no approved treatment for heartworm in cats. Even one or two worms can cause breathing problems. Indoor cats are at risk too, because mosquitoes get inside.

At our Houston-area clinics, about 4 in 10 wellness visits for adult cats send parasite prevention home (Oct 2025 to Sep 2026). Ask the vet whether a monthly topical makes sense for your cat.

Older dogs still need it

Prevention often drops off as dogs age. At our Houston-area clinics, prevention goes home at fewer than 3 in 10 wellness visits for dogs 7 and older (Oct 2025 to Sep 2026). Older dogs are just as exposed to mosquitoes, and they handle heartworm disease worse. Keep them on it for life.

How a test fits in

Dogs need a heartworm test in Fulshear before starting or restarting prevention, and once a year after that. Puppies under about 7 months can usually start without a test. If a dose was missed or late, call the clinic. The vet may want to test again in a few months.

Gentle visits for prevention checks

Fear Free handling at Petfolk Fulshear makes the weigh-in, blood draw and dose quick and calm. Treats, a soft voice and a steady hold help most pets barely notice.

They care a lot for my puppy and always double check if the price is what I'm willing to pay before performing services

Kaylee B., Google review

What does heartworm prevention cost?

The cost at Petfolk Fulshear depends on your pet's weight and the product you choose. Prevention is often started at a wellness exam, which starts at $99. You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit.

Signs that need a vet

Heartworm disease can be silent for a long time. Later signs include a soft cough, tiring fast on walks, weight loss and a swollen belly. Book a sick visit if you see them. Go to a 24-hour emergency hospital, such as VEG Katy, if your pet collapses or struggles to breathe.

Start prevention

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Fulshear is at 29615 Jordan Crossing Blvd, Suite 240, Katy, TX 77494, near the Grand Parkway. Call (281) 214-6363.

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