Do both dogs and cats need to be on heartworm prevention?
Yes, dogs and cats are both exposed to mosquitos and that is how the disease is spread. Dogs can be treated for heartworms, but the treatment is very expensive and it is more cost effective to prevent. If a dog is not on prevention it is very likely they will become positive in their life span. Cats cannot be treated for heartworms and just one heartworm is lethal to a cat because their heart is so small. In North Carolina, it is recommended that heartworm prevention is used year round due to heavy mosquito infestation.