This slide show from the American Heartworm Society separates the truth from the myths about heartworm disease in pets.

1. TRUE or FALSE?
Test YOUR Heartworm Knowledge!

2. 1. TRUE or FALSE?
My dog can get
heartworms from
playing with
another dog that
has them.

3. 1. FALSE.
Heartworms can ONLY
be spread between
pets through the bite of
an infected mosquito.

4. 2. TRUE or FALSE?
I don’t need to
be concerned
about my cat
getting
heartworm
disease.

5. 2. FALSE.
Not only can cats DIE
from heartworm
infections,
there is NO approved
treatment if they
become infected.

6. 3. TRUE or FALSE?
Heartworms
mate inside
infected dogs.

7. 3. TRUE.
Mature heartworms
living in the pulmonary
arteries of dogs MATE
and REPRODUCE there.

8. 4. TRUE or FALSE?
Heartworm
treatment costs
about the same
as prevention.

9. 4. FALSE.
A year’s worth of
heartworm preventive
costs a FRACTION of
the cost of treatment.

10. 5. TRUE or FALSE?
Heartworm
disease
threatens pets
nationwide.

11. 5. TRUE.
Heartworm disease has been
diagnosed in ALL 50 STATES.

12. 6. TRUE or FALSE?
Heartworms
live for no more
than 6 months
in pets.

13. 6. FALSE.
Heartworms can
live for up to
3 YEARS in cats
and up to
7 YEARS in dogs.

14. 7. TRUE or FALSE?
Once dogs have
been treated for
heartworms,
they’re immune to
future infections.

15. 7. FALSE.
Dogs can become infected
OVER and OVER if they
aren’t put on heartworm
preventive.

16. 8. TRUE or FALSE?
The American
Heartworm Society
recommends year-
round heartworm
prevention for dogs,
cats and ferrets.

17. 8. TRUE.
Because
heartworm
“season” is so
difficult to predict,
YEAR-ROUND
prevention is the
best option for
pets.

18. How did YOU score?
For more information, visit
www.heartwormsociety.org