Discovering your pet has tested positive for heartworm can be overwhelming. At Cloverleaf Animal Clinic, we want you to feel empowered with the knowledge and support you need to make the best decisions for your pet’s health. April is National Heartworm Awareness Month, and there’s no better time to learn more about how heartworm disease develops, how it’s treated, and—most importantly—how it can be prevented.

Confirming a Heartworm Diagnosis

A positive heartworm test is just the beginning of the diagnostic process. Your veterinarian won’t begin treatment immediately. Instead, they will first run additional tests to understand the severity of the infection.

• Microfilaria testing detects the presence of baby heartworms in the bloodstream.
• Bloodwork evaluates organ function and overall health.
• X-rays or ultrasound may be performed to assess the impact on the lungs and heart.

These diagnostic steps allow your veterinarian to create a customized and safe treatment plan based on the stage of the disease.

Why Activity Restriction Is So Important

After a heartworm diagnosis, one of the most critical parts of treatment is limiting your pet’s activity. This may mean crate rest and eliminating exercise for an extended period.

• For dogs, even moderate activity like walks or backyard play can increase the risk of complications by speeding up blood flow.
• For cats, a calm, quiet environment is essential to reduce stress on the cardiovascular system.

While this can be emotionally challenging for both you and your pet, restricting movement is essential to reduce the risk of heartworm-related complications during treatment.

Treating Heartworm Disease in Dogs

Treatment for heartworm disease in dogs typically involves a multi-stage approach:

• Antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications are prescribed before the main treatment to reduce inflammation and weaken the heartworms.
• Adulticide injections are given in stages to kill the adult heartworms living in the heart and lungs.
• Preventatives are continued throughout the process to eliminate juvenile worms and prevent new infections.

Throughout the treatment period, your veterinarian will monitor your pet closely to manage any side effects and adjust the treatment plan as needed. Recovery is gradual, and rest is vital even after the injections are complete.

Once your dog is heartworm-free, they should remain on year-round heartworm prevention to protect against reinfection—because pets are not immune after recovering from heartworm disease.

What About Heartworm in Cats?

Cats are more vulnerable when it comes to heartworm because there is no approved treatment for adult heartworms in felines.

Instead, treatment focuses on supportive care:

• Medications to reduce inflammation
• Oxygen therapy if needed
• Ongoing monitoring to catch complications early

Prevention is truly the best—and only—line of defense for cats.

Prevention Is the Best Medicine

At Cloverleaf Animal Clinic, we believe in the power of prevention. Monthly heartworm preventatives are easy to administer and highly effective. Prevention is far less costly—both financially and emotionally—than treating heartworm disease.

Memphis and the surrounding area are known for warm, humid weather, making this region a high-risk zone for mosquitoes that spread heartworms. Even indoor pets are at risk, especially during mosquito season.

Protect Your Pet Year-Round

Heartworm disease is a serious condition, but with early detection, the right treatment, and consistent prevention, your pet can recover and stay protected. At Cloverleaf Animal Clinic, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. If you’re in Memphis, TN, or nearby areas like Germantown, Bartlett, or Collierville, schedule an appointment today for heartworm testing or to refill your pet’s prevention prescription.