Heartworm disease is a serious medical condition caused by a parasite named dirofilaria immitis. Dogs are infected with this parasite via bites from infected mosquitoes. Developmental stages of the parasite develop in the blood stream and result in large worms in the great vessels and chambers of the heart. These large worms can cause many symptoms of disease with clinical signs of lung and heart disease.
Heartworm is no considered something that is prevalence in our area of the Roaring Fork Valley. But mosquitoes in the state of Colorado do carry the developmental stages of
the heartworm parasite and we do see infections. Our valley is also a very global community and we see animals who have traveled or lived in many places all over the world.
At Alpine, we develop programs for the specific needs of your pet and your own particular environmental and travel situations. We will also review with you the best ways to control fleas in your house, barn, yard and on your pet.
