Heartworm Prevention in Holly Springs, NC, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Holly Springs is a vet in Holly Springs, NC, that prescribes heartworm prevention for dogs and cats. Heartworm is a worm spread by mosquito bites that lives in the heart and lungs, and in central North Carolina the safest plan is a preventive given every month, all year.

Prevention is one dose a month. Treating it in a dog is long, hard on the body and costly, and there is no approved treatment for cats.

Call (919) 591-0887 or book online. Walk-ins are welcome.

How common is heartworm around Holly Springs?

Common enough to plan for. Researchers who sampled dogs and mosquitoes across Wake County found heartworm in 3.77% to 15.64% of dogs, depending on the ZIP code (Parasites & Vectors, 2020).

The NC State College of Veterinary Medicine points out that mosquitoes can breed in any puddle that lasts more than four days. After a summer storm, that means birdbaths, flowerpot saucers, kiddie pools and clogged gutters all over town.

Does my pet need heartworm prevention all year?

Yes. The vet at Petfolk Holly Springs recommends year-round prevention for dogs and cats. Mosquitoes show up on warm winter days in North Carolina, and missing even one or two doses can leave a gap. Pick one day a month and stick to it.

What kinds of heartworm prevention are there?

The vet at Petfolk Holly Springs helps you choose based on your pet, your routine and what's easiest for you to give. Common options include:

• Monthly chewables for dogs, often combined with flea, tick and intestinal worm protection.

• Monthly topicals placed on the skin, a common choice for cats.

• A long-acting injection for dogs, given at the clinic, so you don't need to remember a monthly dose.

Many preventives also treat some intestinal worms, which helps dogs who sniff their way along the Carl Dean and Middle Creek greenways, and the vet will tell you exactly what each product covers before you choose one.

Test first, then protect

Dogs should have a heartworm test before starting prevention, and then once a year. Giving some preventives to a dog who already has heartworm can cause a reaction. A yearly test also confirms the prevention is working, since a missed or spit-out dose can happen to anyone.

Learn more on heartworm testing in Holly Springs.

Cats need protection too

Cats can get heartworm, even if they stay inside, because mosquitoes slip into homes. In cats, a few worms can cause breathing problems that look like asthma, and sometimes sudden death. Since there is no approved treatment for cats, prevention is the only protection. A monthly topical is easy for most cats.

Tips for staying on schedule

• Set a phone reminder or link the dose to the first of the month.

• Weigh your dog at each visit, since doses depend on weight.

• Give chewables with food, and watch to make sure they are eaten.

• Tell the vet if your pet vomits within an hour of a dose.

Fear Free handling is standard at every Petfolk clinic, which makes the yearly test and any injection calmer for nervous pets.

They worked with him calmly and patiently took the time to calm him.

Jennifer P., Google review

What does heartworm prevention cost in Holly Springs?

The cost of heartworm prevention at Petfolk Holly Springs depends on your pet's weight and the product you choose. Prevention is started at an exam, and a wellness exam starts at $99. A PetfolkCare membership, which starts at $199 a year, includes wellness exams. 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

Coughing, tiring quickly on walks, weight loss or a swollen belly can be signs of heartworm disease. Book a visit if you notice them. If your pet collapses or struggles to breathe, go to a 24-hour emergency hospital.

Pick up prevention on Village Walk Drive

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Holly Springs is at 105 Village Walk Dr, Holly Springs, NC 27540, with free parking. Prevention can be filled at the on-site pharmacy at your visit. Call (919) 591-0887, book online or walk in.

Book a visit at Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Holly Springs, or see all veterinary services in Holly Springs.