Every dog and cat in Huntersville should get heartworm prevention every month of the year, starting as a puppy or kitten, because mosquitoes spread heartworm and North Carolina's winters are not reliably cold. Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Huntersville offers heartworm prevention in Huntersville as monthly chews, monthly topicals or a vet-given injection for dogs, and sets up the yearly test that keeps it working.
Heartworms are long, thin worms that live in the heart and the large blood vessels of the lungs, and in dogs they can grow for years before signs appear.
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How do pets in Huntersville get heartworm?
Pets get heartworm only from mosquito bites. A mosquito bites an infected animal, the larvae develop inside the mosquito for 10 to 14 days, and the next bite passes them on, according to the American Heartworm Society. Infected mosquitoes also come indoors, so Petfolk Huntersville recommends prevention for indoor pets too.
In the American Heartworm Society's latest survey (2025 testing), both North Carolina and South Carolina ranked in the top ten states, and the central Carolinas showed up as a new hot spot (AHS incidence map post). In Mecklenburg County, about 1 in 200 dogs tested in 2025 were positive (0.63%, CAPC data).
Can we stop heartworm prevention once it gets cold?
No. The American Heartworm Society recommends year-round prevention, and Charlotte-area winters bring warm spells that let mosquitoes bite again. Mecklenburg County Public Health found West Nile virus in a mosquito pool collected in July 2026 (county release), a reminder of how active local mosquitoes are.
Most monthly preventives also work backward: each dose clears larvae picked up over the previous weeks. Stop in November, and the last bites of fall go untreated. At Petfolk Huntersville, the easiest habit is a set date, such as the first of the month, with a phone reminder.
Do cats need heartworm prevention?
Yes. Cats get heartworm too, and there is no approved drug to treat heartworm in cats, so prevention is the only protection, for indoor and outdoor cats alike. Cats usually carry only a few worms, which makes them harder to diagnose; some cough or breathe fast in a way that looks like asthma, others vomit, and some show no signs. Ask Petfolk Huntersville about a monthly topical at your cat's next visit or her vaccine appointment.
Which heartworm preventive is right for my pet?
The right heartworm preventive at Petfolk Huntersville depends on your pet's species, weight, other parasite needs and which dosing you'll keep up with:
Monthly chewable (dogs). Some also treat intestinal worms, fleas and ticks.
Monthly topical (cats, and dogs who refuse pills). Keep other pets from licking the spot until it dries.
Injection by the vet (dogs only). Lasts 6 or 12 months, depending on the product, and is given after a negative test.
At Petfolk Huntersville, 84% of dog parasite-prevention purchases are Simparica Trio, a monthly chew that covers heartworm, fleas and ticks, and about 7% are ProHeart 12, a yearly injection (Petfolk data, October 2025 to September 2026). Always dose by your pet's current weight; a puppy who has grown may need the next size up.
When should a puppy start heartworm prevention?
Start at the first puppy visits. At Petfolk Huntersville, nearly 6 in 10 puppy wellness visits (58%) end with heartworm, flea and tick prevention going home, compared with about 3 in 10 adult dog wellness visits (28%) (October 2025 to September 2026), since most adult dogs already have a supply at home.
Does my dog still need a heartworm test if he's on prevention?
Yes. The American Heartworm Society advises testing every dog every 12 months, even on year-round prevention, because doses get missed, spit out or vomited. A dog that has been off prevention needs a test before restarting, because giving certain preventives to a dog with adult heartworms can cause a reaction. The heartworm testing page explains the test itself.
What should I do if I miss a heartworm dose?
Don't double up. Give the missed dose as soon as you remember, restart the monthly schedule from that day, and call Petfolk Huntersville. Depending on the gap, the vet may suggest a heartworm test a few months later.
Which heartworm signs need a 24-hour hospital?
A dog who suddenly collapses, has pale gums or struggles to breathe needs a 24-hour emergency hospital first; heartworm questions can wait until your pet is stable.
Ask our veterinarian in Huntersville which preventive fits your pet at Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Huntersville, 14227 Boren St, Suite 100, Huntersville, NC 28078.
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Heartworm questions, answered
On Boren St in 28078