Year-Round Heartworm Prevention for Pets: Why Consistent Protection Matters

Heartworm disease is a serious, potentially fatal condition that affects both dogs and cats, and it’s entirely preventable. In the Lowcountry’s warm, humid climate, mosquitoes thrive year-round, putting pets at constant risk for heartworm exposure.

At Shuler Veterinary Clinic, we strongly recommend year-round heartworm prevention for all pets. Consistent protection is the safest, most effective way to keep your pet healthy and avoid costly, life-threatening complications.

Heartworm Prevention for Pets: Understanding the Risk

Heartworms are transmitted through mosquito bites. Once infected, heartworms grow and live in the heart, lungs, and blood vessels, causing severe damage over time. Heartworm disease can lead to:

  • Coughing and breathing difficulty
  • Fatigue and exercise intolerance
  • Weight loss and decreased appetite
  • Heart failure
  • Sudden collapse or death

Because mosquitoes are active throughout the year in the Lowcountry, skipping even a few months of prevention can leave your pet vulnerable.

Heartworm Prevention for Pets: Why Year-Round Protection Is Essential

Some pet owners assume heartworm prevention is only needed during warmer months, but in coastal South Carolina, there is no true “off-season” for mosquitoes.

Year-round heartworm prevention:

  • Provides continuous protection against infection
  • Prevents gaps in coverage that increase risk
  • Is safer than treating heartworm disease
  • Helps maintain eligibility for pet insurance coverage

Once a pet becomes infected, treatment can be expensive, lengthy, and stressful. Prevention is always the better and safer option.

Learn more about prevention with this short video:

Heartworm Prevention for Pets: Testing & Routine Veterinary Care

Before starting or continuing heartworm prevention, routine testing is essential to ensure your pet is heartworm-free.

At Shuler Veterinary Clinic, routine care includes:

  • Annual heartworm testing for dogs
  • Personalized prevention plans based on lifestyle
  • Safe administration of monthly or long-lasting preventives
  • Monitoring for changes in health or risk factors

Cats are also at risk for heartworm disease, even though testing and treatment options are more limited. Preventive medication is the only way to protect cats from heartworms.

Heartworm Prevention for Pets: Your Trusted Lowcountry Veterinary Partner

At Shuler Veterinary Clinic, we’re committed to protecting pets through proactive, preventive care. Year-round heartworm prevention is one of the most important steps you can take to safeguard your pet’s long-term health.

If your pet is due for heartworm testing, preventive medication, or a wellness exam, call us at (843) 884-4494 or request an appointment online today.

Shuler Veterinary Clinic is proud to be part of Animal Hospitals of the Lowcountry, a family-owned network of practices that includes:

  • Mount Pleasant Animal Hospital: South Mount Pleasant, SC (Coleman Blvd & Old Village)
  • Shuler Veterinary Clinic: Central Mount Pleasant, SC (Town Center)
  • Safe Harbor Animal Hospital: North Mount Pleasant, SC (Hwy 41)

Together, we’re dedicated to keeping Lowcountry pets protected, healthy, and thriving, every month of the year.