Desert Forest Animal Hospital
Bringing a new dog into your family is exciting — but protecting them from heartworm disease should be a top priority, especially here in Arizona.
Unlike many parts of the country where heartworm risk is seasonal, mosquitoes in Arizona can be active for much of the year. This makes year-round heartworm prevention essential for dogs living in Cave Creek, Carefree, and the surrounding North Valley.
At Desert Forest Animal Hospital, we strongly recommend year-round heartworm prevention as part of every dog’s wellness plan.
What Is Heartworm Disease?
Heartworm disease is caused by foot-long worms (Dirofilaria immitis) that live in the heart, lungs, and associated blood vessels of infected dogs. These worms are spread through mosquito bites.
Once inside a dog, the worms can cause severe lung disease, heart failure, organ damage, and even death. While heartworm disease is preventable, treatment is difficult, expensive, and risky — which is why prevention is so important.
Why Year-Round Prevention Matters in Arizona
Many pet owners assume heartworm isn’t a concern in the desert. However, mosquitoes thrive in Arizona due to irrigation, pools, and even small amounts of standing water. According to the American Heartworm Society, heartworm has been diagnosed in all 50 states, and they recommend year-round prevention for dogs — even in warmer, drier climates like Arizona.
Because mosquitoes can be active nearly year-round here, skipping prevention during the “off-season” can leave your dog vulnerable.
Signs of Heartworm Disease in Dogs
In the early stages, many dogs show no symptoms. As the disease progresses, common signs include:
- Mild persistent cough
- Lethargy or reluctance to exercise
- Decreased appetite and weight loss
- Swollen belly due to fluid accumulation
- Difficulty breathing
In severe cases, dogs can develop caval syndrome, a life-threatening condition that requires emergency surgery.
Heartworm Prevention Options
There are several safe and effective heartworm preventives available today. Most are given monthly (oral or topical), while some offer longer-lasting protection. Common options include:
- Oral chewables (often combined with flea and tick prevention)
- Topical treatments
- Injectable preventives (given every 6 or 12 months)
At Desert Forest Animal Hospital, we’ll help you choose the best option based on your dog’s age, lifestyle, and any existing health conditions.
Learn more about our full Parasite Prevention options.
Heartworm Testing
Even dogs on year-round prevention should be tested annually. Heartworm testing is quick, simple, and done with a small blood sample. Early detection gives us the best chance of successful treatment if an infection is found.
We typically recommend testing once a year during your dog’s wellness exam.
Our Recommendation at Desert Forest Animal Hospital
We believe the best protection comes from a consistent, year-round prevention plan combined with annual testing. Because every dog is different, we create customized recommendations based on your pet’s age, breed, lifestyle, and health history.
Whether you have a new puppy or an adult dog, we can help you start (or adjust) a prevention protocol that fits your life.
Schedule your dog’s next wellness exam to discuss heartworm prevention.
Protect Your Dog Year-Round
Heartworm disease is 100% preventable. With consistent prevention and regular testing, you can protect your dog from a serious and potentially fatal disease.
Don’t wait for mosquito season — start (or continue) year-round protection today.
Call Desert Forest Animal Hospital at (480) 488-2010 to schedule your dog’s heartworm test and prevention consultation. We proudly serve Cave Creek, Carefree, North Scottsdale, and the surrounding North Valley communities.