A: Heartworms and heartworm disease are often misunderstood with deadly consequences. Properly understood and treated, however, they are quite manageable.

A heartworm is indeed a threadlike worm (Dirofilaria immitis) that gets into an animal's bloodstream when a mosquito bites one animal already infected and then bites another animal thus passing along baby heartworms. These larvae then grow in the animal's blood for three or four months where they eventually lodge themselves in the heart of the host animal.

North Carolina, unfortunately, is ripe for mosquito breeding and we have a large number of infected dogs in our area. In fact, up to one in three dogs at the animal shelter test positive for heartworms. Left untreated, heartworm disease will eventually be fatal. In the time before the dog dies it will suffer from congestive heart failure.

Although many dogs test positive for heartworms, there is no reason not to adopt them. We successfully treat heartworm positive dogs regularly with very few complications. These dogs go on to live healthy, happy lives.

The treatment for a dog infected with heartworms requires a series of injections which can cause some discomfort and requires that the dog's activity be restricted for about two months. The risk is that as the worms die they can clog a blood vessel. At the APS we offer treatment of any heartworm positive dog we are adopting to a new home for a low price as we do not want dogs to lose a chance of a fulfilling life. Often there is a stigma associated with heartworm-positive dogs but with a little explanation people will understand that it is treatable.

Our wish is that dogs would never need to be treated, and this is why every dog should receive heartworm prevention. The good news is that heartworm disease is easily preventable with a monthly dose of a medicine (easily given in treat form to a dog). This relatively inexpensive medicine should be given to all dogs, including indoor dogs as it only takes the bite of one infected mosquito to infect the dog.

If you are a dog owner or potential adopter speak with your vet about a heartworm test and a preventive treatment plan for your dog. If you are considering adopting a shelter dog that is infected, remember treatment is effective and the dog can live a healthy, heartworm-free life for years to come.