Heartworm Awareness Month: Protect Your Dog from This Silent Threat

Admin Team

Heartworm Awareness Month is an important reminder for all pet owners to take action against a potentially deadly but preventable disease. Heartworm disease is caused by parasitic worms that live in the heart and blood vessels of infected dogs, leading to serious health complications if left untreated. 

As veterinarians, we often see how devastating heartworm disease can be, but the good news is that with proper prevention and early detection, your dog can stay safe and healthy. 



Common Signs of Heartworm Disease in Dogs 

Heartworm disease can be difficult to detect in its early stages, as many dogs show few or no symptoms at first. As the disease progresses, you may notice: 

Coughing or laboured breathing
• Fatigue after mild exercise
• Weight loss or loss of appetite
• Lethargy or weakness
• Swollen abdomen due to fluid buildup
• Collapse in severe cases 

If you notice any of these signs, it is important to contact our veterinary team promptly for assessment and testing. 


How Dogs Get Heartworm 

Heartworm is spread through mosquito bites. When a mosquito bites an infected dog, it picks up microscopic heartworm larvae. These larvae are then transmitted to another dog through the next bite. 

Factors that increase risk include: 

Warm and humid weather where mosquitoes thrive
• Outdoor exposure, especially at dawn and dusk
• Lack of regular parasite prevention
• Living near standing water or bushland areas 

Because mosquitoes are present in many regions, heartworm prevention is essential for all dogs, even those that spend most of their time indoors. 


Tips to Protect Your Dog from Heartworm 

Year-round prevention: Monthly chewable tablets or annual injections are the most effective way to protect your dog from heartworm disease. Your vet can recommend the best option for your pet’s lifestyle. 

Regular testing: Annual heartworm blood tests help detect infection early before serious damage occurs. 

Mosquito control: Reduce standing water around your home and use pet-safe repellents when appropriate. 

Stick to a routine: Set reminders to ensure your dog never misses a dose of prevention medication. 

Combine parasite protection: Many heartworm preventatives also protect against intestinal worms and other parasites, making prevention simple and effective. 

When to See a Vet 


If your dog is not currently on heartworm prevention, or if you have missed doses, it is important to book a consultation. Testing is required before starting prevention to ensure your dog is not already infected. 

Early detection and prevention are far safer and more affordable than treating advanced heartworm disease. 

During Heartworm Awareness Month, take the time to check your pet’s parasite prevention plan and speak with your vet about the best protection strategy for your dog. 


Final Thoughts 

Heartworm disease is serious but completely preventable. With routine testing, consistent prevention, and guidance from your veterinary team, you can protect your dog from this life-threatening parasite. 

Your pet’s health depends on proactive care, and our team is here to help keep your dog happy, healthy, and heartworm-free all year round. 

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Important YVV Update

By Admin Team • February 17, 2026
Sadly, we have had some staff changes recently at Yass Valley Veterinary. After 3 years, Dr Issy Card has taken a small animal position in Canberra. Our recently married Dr Anne Cusack is relocating to Wagga for her husband’s work, and Dr Natalie Flew is also leaving us to work in an emergency afterhours clinic in Canberra with more suitable hours for her new family. We will all miss these three amiable, dedicated and competent veterinarians and wish them well in their future pursuits. Dr Stuart Williams, after almost 33 years at Yass Valley Veterinary (15 years as a partner with Dr Peter Gibbs and 15 years as sole principal), is resigning from his full-time position at the end of February. He is looking forward to having a break away from afterhours on call and managing a large staff across two hospitals. Working as a volunteer veterinarian in Australia and overseas, travelling with his wife Cath and spending some much needed time at home and in the garden, is on the agenda for Stuart in the short term. Dr Tamara Butler, who has been with the business for 17 years, will be promoted to the Lead Vet role when Stuart resigns. Dr Nicole McKenzie will take on the Tamara’s Veterinary Manager role, while Ms Carrie Luckie will retain the Practice Manager role. We are incredibly grateful for the dedication and care that each of our departing veterinarians has given to our clients and patients, and their departures will mean a temporary change to our service availability. Be assured that we are actively and enthusiastically recruiting veterinarians to join our team. We’d like to introduce Dr Josh Tannen, a small animal veterinarian & surgeon, who will be with us until April. This experienced and easy-going locum will be very welcome by the team. However, in the short term, we will be operating with a smaller team, so there may be occasions where we are unable to provide the full range of services that are currently provided. What does this mean for you? • At times, we may need to rotate Saturday clinic closures. • There will be evenings or weekends when we do not have an after-hours veterinarian available. We will always do our best to keep you informed. Any changes to opening hours or services will be communicated via our social media pages and through notifications on the Yass Vet App. As always, if you require after-hours assistance when a veterinarian is not available, please call us on 6226 4444. Your call will be answered by a team of qualified nurses who will triage your situation and direct you to the closest appropriate emergency hospital if needed. We truly appreciate your understanding, patience, and ongoing support during this period of transition. Our commitment to providing compassionate, high-quality care for your animals remains at the heart of everything we do.
Dog playing with a puzzle feeder at home while owner is at work.

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