Heartworm Prevention for Dogs in Dural, Glenhaven and Castle Hill
Heartworm disease is one of those conditions many dog owners have heard of, but are not always sure whether they need to worry about — especially in Sydney.
The short answer is yes. Heartworm is still a risk for dogs in the Hills District, including Dural, Glenhaven, Castle Hill, Kenthurst, Cherrybrook and surrounding suburbs with local cases confirmed in the last 12 months. Because it is spread by mosquitoes, even dogs who are mostly indoors or have no contact with other dogs can be exposed.
The good news is that heartworm disease is preventable.
What is heartworm disease?
Heartworm disease is caused by a parasite called Dirofilaria immitis. It is spread when a mosquito bites an infected animal and then passes the parasite on to another dog.
Once inside the dog, the immature worms slowly develop and eventually settle in the heart and major blood vessels of the lungs. Over time, this can cause serious damage to the heart, lungs and circulation.
Dogs with heartworm disease may show signs such as:
- coughing
- tiring easily on walks
- weight loss
- breathing changes
- reduced exercise tolerance
- collapse in severe cases
The difficult part is that early heartworm disease may cause very few signs at all. A dog can appear well while infection is developing.
Why prevention matters
Treating heartworm disease is much more difficult than preventing it. Treatment can be expensive, lengthy and stressful, and dogs often need strict exercise restriction while the adult worms are being treated to prevent serious complications.
That is why our focus at Dural Veterinary Hospital is prevention.
There are several heartworm prevention options available, including monthly tablets, topical products and annual injections. For many families, we recommend the annual heartworm injection because it provides 12 months of continuous protection without needing to remember a monthly dose.
This can be especially helpful for busy families, or for anyone who has ever thought, “I’m not completely sure when I last gave that tablet.”
Why testing is important before restarting prevention
If your dog has missed heartworm prevention, or you are not sure whether they are fully up to date, it is important to speak with your vet before simply restarting.
In some cases, a heartworm test may be recommended first.
This is because heartworm infection can be present before a dog looks unwell. Testing helps us check whether it is safe and appropriate to restart prevention, and allows us to make the best plan for your dog.
Testing may be recommended for dogs who:
- have missed several months of prevention
- have an unknown prevention history
- are newly adopted or rehomed
- have moved from another area
- have not been on regular prevention previously
If you are unsure, we can help you work out what your dog needs.
Heartworm prevention for local dogs
At Dural Veterinary Hospital, we see dogs from across the Hills District every day, including Glenhaven, Castle Hill, Kenthurst, Cherrybrook and Kellyville.
Our approach is simple: we want prevention to be practical, reliable and easy for owners to maintain long-term.
For many dogs, the annual heartworm injection is the easiest way to avoid accidental gaps in protection. It can often be given during a routine health check or vaccination visit, so your dog’s prevention stays simple and up to date.
Is your dog protected?
If you are not sure whether your dog’s heartworm prevention is current, or you have missed doses and need advice about restarting safely, please contact our team.
We can help you choose the most appropriate prevention plan for your dog and make sure they are protected year-round.
Our approach is simple: we want prevention to be practical, reliable and easy for owners to maintain long-term.
For many dogs, the annual heartworm injection is the easiest way to avoid accidental gaps in protection. It can often be given during a routine health check or vaccination visit, so your dog’s prevention stays simple and up to date.