Yikes! Not Heartworm too!
As if ticks weren't enough of a plague in our backyards, we have been turning up more heartworm cases lately too! The coyote and fox populations may be reservoir for this parasite, which is transmitted by another parasite: our old pal the mosquito.
Just recently a patient was being examined for a general health check and a simple blood smear showed abundant microfilariae (baby worms) in amongst the red blood cells! These microfilariae could then be transmitted by mosquitos to any other dog around! Even cats can occasionally be affected.
So - keep up the prevention plan, starting June 1st, of monthly Heartgard or Revolution. If you go the Florida or South in the winter then you should be doing year round prevention.
Hey - a tick trick - if you live in a high-incidence area, when your pet comes in after being outside, use a lint-roller to capture unattached ticks - especially the tiny nymph stage ones. You'd be surprised at what you might see!
Dr. Barb