Not only are the ticks bad around here but we are seeing more heartworm this year too. Definitely not as bad as pets living in the southern USA but it's out there. The little larvae are transmitted by mosquitos from infected dogs, much like malaria in people. In this area we rarely see the clinical sign of heavy burdens, such as coughing, less stamina or laboured breathing. But I don't want to be seeing it, as that degree of heart damage is hard to reverse. Screening with a small blood test for the antigen is still the way we are picking it up. If your dog tests positive we will then double check, looking for baby worms in the blood. There are treatments available, and in our area a "slow kill of the worms" method is often utilized if there are no severe signs. But again my message is prevent, prevent, prevent. An inexpensive once a month "treat" is all that's needed starting June 1st, once the screen test is negative.
Bring on the Summer heat!!