Internal parasites
Heartworm
Heartworm disease can be fatal if left undiagnosed or untreated. Even when it is diagnosed, treating heartworm disease is not without risks. Therefore, protecting your dog from heartworm disease is the best approach.
How does my dog get heartworm?
Heartworm infection is found throughout mainland Australia, in both dogs and cats. Mosquitoes are the intermediate host and transmit heartworm larvae from dog to dog. Although heartworm infection is most commonly found in regions where mosquitoes are more prevalent, it is not only confined to these areas, and heartworm infections have been diagnosed in nearly all parts of Australia.
What are the signs of heartworm infection?
Dogs rarely show immediate signs of infection. Signs will depend on the severity of heartworm infection, and on the health and size of your dog. Common signs include:
- Coughing
- Lack of energy
- Reluctance to exercise
- Weight loss
Heartworms can cause serious disease
Heartworms (up to 30cm long in dogs) live in the heart and blood vessels of the lungs, interfering with circulation and damaging tissues. This may eventually cause heart failure. Left untreated, this can result in the death of your pet.
Ask your veterinarian
Your veterinarian can test for the presence of heartworm infection before starting heartworm prevention for the first time, or if heartworm prevention has been missed. It is recommended to start heartworm prevention from 6 weeks of age and stay on preventative treatment for the rest of the dog's life to avoid canine heartworm disease.
Prevent heartworm infection with HEARTGARD=~
"I use and recommend HEARTGARD="

HEARTGARD
30 prevents heartworm disease and is given once a month as a meaty chewable treat that your pets will actually enjoy eating.
Because puppies can be bitten by mosquitoes soon after birth, HEARTGARD
30 is recommended from 6 weeks of age to control infections acquired earlier.
HEARTGARD
30 PLUS prevents heartworm disease and also treats and controls two species of roundworms
(Toxocara canis and
Toxascaris leonina), and three species of hookworms
(Ancylostoma caninum, A. brazilienze and
Uncinaria stenocephala).
HEARTGARD
30 is a simple and effective method of heartworm protection because it comes as a meaty, real beef chewable. So, treat your pet with the world's leading heartworm prevention every month
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