Heartworm Prevention in Kennesaw, GA, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Kennesaw is a vet in Kennesaw, GA, that prescribes heartworm prevention for dogs and cats. In Georgia, the vet recommends prevention every month of the year, because mosquitoes can be active on warm days even in winter.

Heartworms are spread by mosquito bites. The worms grow in the heart and lungs and can do lasting harm before a pet shows any signs. Prevention is far easier and cheaper than treatment.

Call (770) 404-8937 or book online to start or refill prevention.

How common is heartworm around Kennesaw?

Very common. Georgia was among the top ten states for heartworm cases in the American Heartworm Society's 2025 incidence survey. Kennesaw's long, humid summers give mosquitoes plenty of time to breed. Every unprotected dog nearby is a possible source for the next bite.

What heartworm prevention options are there?

The vet helps you choose based on your pet, your budget and your routine:

• 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 (Oct 1, 2025 to Sep 30, 2026).

• Yearly or six-month injections for dogs. Given at the clinic, so there are no monthly doses to remember. About 6% of dog prevention purchases across Petfolk are ProHeart 12.

• Monthly topicals for cats. Across Petfolk, 88% of cat parasite-prevention purchases are Revolution Plus, which also covers fleas, ticks, ear mites and some worms.

The team at Petfolk Kennesaw can tell you which products are in stock at the on-site pharmacy and help with refills.

Do indoor cats need heartworm prevention?

The vet usually recommends it. Mosquitoes get inside through doors and screens, and indoor cats have been found with heartworm. There is no approved treatment for heartworm in cats, so prevention is the only real protection.

Why does my dog need a test first?

Giving prevention to a dog who already has heartworms can cause a reaction. So the vet runs a quick blood test before starting prevention, and once a year after. Across Petfolk, the in-house heartworm and tick-borne disease test is the single most-ordered in-house lab test. See heartworm testing in Kennesaw.

Habits that keep coverage unbroken

• Give the dose on the same date every month. Set a phone reminder.

• Weigh your pet at each visit. Growing puppies may need a bigger dose size.

• Don't stop in the cooler months. A warm week can bring mosquitoes back.

• If your dog spits out a chewable, give it again or call the clinic.

• Keep the empty boxes or a note of each dose. A simple record makes it easy to spot a missed month.

New to Kennesaw, or switching from another vet? Bring the date of your pet's last heartworm test and the name of the product you use now. If more than a year has passed since the last test, the vet will run one before a refill. That way the new plan starts from a clean result, and nothing gets missed during the move.

He loved the entire staff and was very relaxed at their office.

Hal D., Google review

Fear Free handling keeps the quick blood draw and checkup easy for your pet.

Cost of prevention

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

Coughing, tiring fast or fainting

A dog with heartworm disease may cough, tire on short walks or lose weight. In cats, signs can look like asthma or vomiting. If your pet collapses or struggles to breathe, go to a 24-hour emergency hospital such as VEG at 1290 Johnson Ferry Road in Marietta.

Start prevention today

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Kennesaw is at 1155 Ernest W Barrett Pkwy NW, Suite 204, Kennesaw, GA 30144, with free parking. Call (770) 404-8937.

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