Heartworm Prevention in Nichols Hills, OK, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Nichols Hills is a vet in Nichols Hills, OK, that helps dogs and cats stay on heartworm prevention all year. Heartworms are spread by mosquito bites, and prevention works by killing young worms before they can grow in the heart and lungs.

Most pets take a monthly chewable or topical. Some dogs get a shot that lasts 12 months instead.

Call (405) 251-8816, book online, or walk in to start or refill prevention.

Why does my pet need heartworm prevention every month?

A mosquito that bites an infected animal can pass young heartworms to the next pet it bites. Those larvae travel through the body and, over about six months, grow into adult worms that can reach a foot long and live in the heart and lungs.

Preventives don't build up protection that lasts. Each dose clears the larvae picked up over the past month. Skip a month, and larvae from that month can keep growing. Because a missed month leaves a gap, Petfolk Nichols Hills recommends prevention twelve months a year.

Which heartworm preventive is right for my dog?

The vet at Petfolk Nichols Hills will help you choose based on your dog's size, habits and other parasite needs. Common options:

• Monthly chews that also cover fleas, ticks and some intestinal worms in one dose. Across Petfolk, 85% of dog parasite-prevention purchases are Simparica Trio, which works this way (Oct 1, 2025 to Sep 30, 2026).

• A yearly injection. About 6% of dog prevention purchases across Petfolk are ProHeart 12, a shot that lasts 12 months (same dates). It suits families who forget monthly doses. Ask the team whether Petfolk Nichols Hills offers it.

• Monthly topicals, often a good fit for cats and some dogs.

Dogs need a negative heartworm test before starting, so a hidden infection isn't missed. See heartworm testing in Nichols Hills for how that works.

Do indoor cats need heartworm prevention?

Yes. Cats are not the usual host, but just one or two worms can cause serious lung problems in a cat, and there is no approved treatment to clear heartworms from cats. Mosquitoes come inside easily. A monthly topical that also covers fleas is a simple option.

Making it a habit

Pick a date you'll remember, like the first of the month, and set a phone reminder. Give the chew with a meal. The Petfolk app shows what your pet takes and when the next refill is due, and the on-site pharmacy at Petfolk Nichols Hills can fill it at your visit.

If you miss a dose, give it as soon as you remember and call the clinic. The vet may suggest a test later to be safe.

Fear Free handling is standard at Petfolk, so a yearly shot or a quick weigh-in for a dose change is calm and quick.

What does heartworm prevention cost?

The price depends on your pet's weight and the product. A wellness exam at Petfolk Nichols Hills starts at $99 and is usually done when prevention starts or renews. You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit. PetfolkCare membership starts at $199 a year.

Signs of heartworm disease

Early heartworm disease often shows no signs. Later, a dog may cough, tire quickly on walks, lose weight or breathe hard. Cats may cough, vomit or have breathing trouble that looks like asthma. If your pet suddenly can't breathe or collapses, go to a 24-hour hospital such as VEG Oklahoma City on Pawnee Dr off N Western Ave.

Pick up a refill near Nichols Hills Plaza

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Nichols Hills is at 1125 NW 63rd St Suite 1125 C, Oklahoma City, OK 73116, with parking on site. Call (405) 251-8816 to check that a refill is ready.

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