Central Veterinary Associates Warns Pet Owners of Heartworm Epidemic in the Spring

May 11, 2012 - PRLog -- VALLEY STREAM, NY — With heartworm being diagnosed in all 50 states and The Companion Animal Parasite Council’s spring 2012 forecast calling for elevated levels of heartworm disease this year, with “high” levels in the Northeastern United States — including New York State — Central Veterinary Associates is warning pet owners that, with mosquitoes coming out earlier as the result of a warm winter, and rising temperatures over the next few days, there will be a greater prevalence of heartworm during the spring season.

Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal condition caused by parasitic worms living in the arteries inside the animal’s lungs and, on occasion, in the right side of the animal’s heart. The adult female heartworms release their young, called microfilarie, into an animal’s bloodstream. While taking blood meal from an infected animal, the mosquito carries the micofilarie, which, in turn, matures to the infective larval stage within the mosquito over a 10- to 14-day period. After that, the mosquito deposits the microfilarie through the animal bite and the infected larvae develop into an adult worm within six months. In dogs, the worms may live for up to seven years.

“We urge all pet owners to test their pets for heartworm disease and begin a regimen of heartworm preventatives if they have not done so already,” said Dr. Steven Fox, President/CEO, Central Veterinary Associates. “The warmer weather provides a great opportunity for your pets to go outside for a walk or to run around, but it also means that they will be exposed to mosquitoes. It will be much easier and healthier for your pet to prevent these infections from occurring than having to treat them.”

CVA keeps its hospital in Valley Stream open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, including all major holidays. For more information or to make an appointment, call 1 (888) 4CVA-PET (428-2738) or visit www.centralvets.com.


About Central Veterinary Associates
Central Veterinary Associates is a 24-hour, full-service hospital that provides optimal small animal medicine, including exotic medicine. The main hospital is located in Valley Stream, which provides 24-hour care at its state-of-the-art facility. Central Veterinary Associates also has other convenient locations in Mineola, Great Neck, Bayside, Forest Hills, Far Rockaway and Belle Harbor. The hospital features intensive care units and intravenous infusion pumps and offers state-of-the-art radiology, endoscopy, ultrasonography, otoscopy and dentistry services. Central Veterinary Associates has over 110 staff members, including 18 veterinarians, as well as a board-certified radiologist, surgeon and internist available for consultation, a canine and feline general practice specialist and certified veterinary acupuncturist on staff. For more information, call 1 (888) 4CVA-PET (428-2738) or visit www.centralvets.com.