Heartworm Disease
Heartworm Prevention & Testing in North Houston, TX
At TEXAVET, we aim to help your pet live a long, healthy life. We proudly offer affordable heartworm prevention and testing for dogs and cats in the Greater Houston area to enhance their well-being. Our commitment is to support your pets’ health and longevity so they can enjoy many years by your side.
Our mobile veterinary clinic offers comprehensive heartworm prevention and testing across Houston, Spring, Cypress, and New Caney. Our goal is to deliver high-quality, affordable care that promotes your pet’s health and well-being. Visit any of our walk-in heartworm clinics, no appointment needed.
What Causes Heartworm Disease in Dogs & Cats?
Heartworm disease is caused by Dirofilaria immitis, a parasitic worm transmitted exclusively through the bite of an infected mosquito. When an infected mosquito bites a dog or cat, it deposits microscopic larvae (microfilariae) into the bloodstream. These larvae mature into adult worms, which can grow up to 12 inches long, living in the heart, lungs, and surrounding blood vessels of the infected animal.
In Houston, where mosquitoes are active for most of the year, heartworm disease is a year-round risk for all pets, indoors and outdoors alike. Symptoms include coughing, difficulty breathing, and fatigue in dogs, though cats may show few or no symptoms until the disease is advanced. Heartworm is entirely preventable but expensive and difficult to treat once established, making prevention far more important than treatment.
Heartworm Prevention & Testing for Dogs in Houston
Our team offers comprehensive heartworm prevention for dogs through monthly preventive medications prescribed by our veterinarians. These medications effectively eliminate immature larvae before they can develop into adult worms in your dog’s heart and blood vessels. TEXAVET carries Sentinel Flavor Tabs and Tri-Heart Plus (generic Heartgard Plus) for heartworm prevention in dogs, available at our walk-in clinics at affordable prices.
If your dog requires a heartworm test, our practice performs a rapid blood test that typically takes about 10 minutes, you’re welcome to wait in your vehicle during processing. This test identifies the presence of adult heartworms or microfilariae (heartworm larvae) in your dog’s bloodstream. Annual heartworm testing in Houston is recommended even for dogs already on preventive medication, early detection allows for prompt treatment before serious complications arise.
Heartworm Prevention for Cats in Houston
Our team offers comprehensive heartworm prevention for cats including monthly topical or oral medication prescribed by our veterinarians. TEXAVET carries Bravecto Plus for cats, a monthly topical treatment that prevents both heartworm and fleas in one application, available at our walk-in clinics for $50.
We advocate for keeping cats indoors to minimize exposure to mosquitoes that transmit heartworm larvae. However, indoor cats in Houston are still at risk – mosquitoes regularly enter homes, and heartworm in cats can be fatal even with just one or two worms. Regular veterinary checkups, including annual heartworm testing for cats, ensure proactive monitoring and early detection. We also provide guidance on mosquito control measures around your home to reduce infection risk further.
How to Prevent Heartworm Disease in Your Pet
Houston’s mosquito population makes year-round heartworm prevention essential for all pets. The good news: heartworm disease is entirely preventable with consistent medication. Key prevention measures include:
Consistent Monthly Preventive Medication
Ensure your pet receives their monthly heartworm preventive medication without interruption. Even a single missed month can leave your pet vulnerable, especially in Houston where mosquitoes are active year-round. TEXAVET stocks Sentinel, Tri-Heart Plus, and Bravecto Plus at our walk-in clinics.
Annual Heartworm Testing
Schedule a heartworm test annually, even if your pet is on preventive medication. No prevention is 100% guaranteed if a dose is missed or late, and early detection of heartworm in Houston pets is critical, treatment becomes significantly harder as the disease progresses. TEXAVET’s walk-in heartworm testing is just $25 and takes about 10 minutes.
Mosquito Control Around Your Home
Minimize mosquito exposure by removing standing water around your Houston home, a common breeding ground given the region’s rainfall and drainage conditions. Use pet-safe mosquito repellents and keep your yard well-maintained. These measures complement but do not replace monthly preventive medication.
Stay Informed About Heartworm Disease
Stay informed about heartworm disease, its symptoms, and preventive measures to safeguard your pet’s health effectively. TEXAVET’s team is always available at our walk-in clinics to answer your questions and help you build the right prevention plan for your pet.
Heartworm FAQs
Is heartworm disease contagious between pets?
No, heartworm disease cannot be transmitted directly between pets. It requires a mosquito as the intermediate host. However, multiple pets in the same household can each be independently bitten by infected mosquitoes, so all pets should be on year-round heartworm preventive medication, especially in Houston.
When should I start my pet on heartworm prevention?
Puppies and kittens should start on heartworm preventive medication as early as recommended by our veterinarian, typically around 8 weeks of age. Adult pets not currently on prevention should begin immediately. In Houston, where heartworm risk is present year-round, there is no safe time to delay starting prevention.
Can indoor pets get heartworm disease in Houston?
Yes, indoor pets in Houston can still get heartworm disease. Mosquitoes regularly enter homes through open doors, windows, and screens. In Houston’s climate, this risk is present virtually year-round. Even strictly indoor cats are susceptible and heartworm in cats has no approved treatment, making prevention the only reliable option.
How often should pets be tested for heartworms?
Pets should receive a heartworm test annually, even those on year-round preventive medication. This ensures any infection is detected early before it progresses. At TEXAVET, walk-in heartworm testing is $25 and takes about 10 minutes, available at all of our weekend clinics across Houston, Spring, Cypress, and New Caney.
How much does heartworm prevention cost at TEXAVET?
Heartworm testing is $25 at TEXAVET. Monthly heartworm prevention for dogs is available through Sentinel Flavor Tabs and Tri-Heart Plus, prices vary by dog weight (6-month supplies from $35 to $55). Bravecto Plus for cats covers both heartworm and flea prevention for $50 per month. All products are available walk-in at our weekend clinics, no appointment needed.
What happens if heartworm goes untreated in dogs?
Untreated heartworm disease in dogs progressively damages the heart, lungs, and blood vessels. As the worm burden grows, dogs develop heartworm-associated respiratory disease (HARD), exercise intolerance, and eventually heart failure. Treatment for heartworm in dogs is available but involves a series of injections, strict rest for weeks, and significant cost – often hundreds to thousands of dollars. Prevention at $25 for a test and $35–$55 for six months of medication is far simpler and more affordable than treating an established infection.
Affordable Heartworm Prevention in Houston — Walk In Any Weekend
At TEXAVET, we proudly serve Houston, Spring, Cypress, and New Caney with affordable heartworm prevention and testing services. Our goal is to provide top-tier care that promotes your pet’s health through compassionate and personalized veterinary services. Whether you’re seeking preventive medication or need a walk-in heartworm test in Houston, our team is committed to helping your pet thrive.
Find a walk-in heartworm clinic near you any weekend, no appointment needed. Heartworm testing just $25. Prevention starting from $35 for dogs and $50 for cats. Protect your pet today