Heartworm Prevention in Arizona?

I have been a vet now for 20 years and have lived in the Valley for 13 years.  We moved here to be close to family and enjoy the Arizona desert lifestyle.  One of those desert perks was being able to be outside without the bugs.  No Mosquitoes, few flies, just pleasant.  One of the other things I noticed coming from Texas to Arizona was the fact that Heart worm disease was almost non-existent.  In Texas all pets needed Preventive Heartworm medications otherwise it was a matter of time before they got the debilitating Heartworm Disease.  Heartworms are a real worm about 6-12 inches long living inside your dogs heart.  Ewww....Sick!  Heartworms cause severe damage to your pet if untreated and the treatment for the disease can run thousands of dollars.  In Arizona, the lack of Mosquitoes meant the lack of Heartworm disease and lack of awareness about the disease.  Prevention is easy many pet owners have not been using prevention and veterinarians in Arizona have not been making a strong recommendation to put pets on Heartworm prevention.....including me.  My approach has changed.  The facts have changed.  The last few years we have learned and confirmed more Heartworm cases that originate in Arizona.  We are seeing and feeling the bites of mosquitoes more often.   Our practice has confirmed several cases in just 5 months.  Research on our indigenous population of coyotes reveal 15% are positive carriers for Heartworm.  Heartworm Prevention is simple and 20-30 times less expensive that treatment. Start protecting your pet for Heartworm disease.  Have fun.  Be Safe.  Until next time Brett the Vet and the friendly team at Arizona Animal Hospital

Alert!  Another Desert Dog Danger Update!
Monsoon season is here and so is another desert danger we see.  The Desert
(Bufo) Toad.  They come out in this more humid weather, generally in the
evening and their numbers wax and wane every year and it seems we have a
bunch in 2015.  I remember 12 years ago it was raining toads here, or so it
seemed like.  I was enjoying dinner outside at a local Cave Creek
restaurant and noticed these large creatures encompassing the patio dining
area.  they are chubby, squatty and unseemly large, measuring up to 7
inches in diameter!  They have a deadly neurotoxin on their skin.  Curious
Canines who get a taste of this toad (Usually at night) will start to
salivate excessively and in no time can be having life-threatening
seizures.  Here is what you need to do.  First - If you suspect toad
poisoning, immediately begin to rinse your dogs mouth with water for
several minutes, diluting the toxin in their mouth.  Then head straight to
your Veterinarian for pro-active care.  The Emergency Animal Clinic on
Scottsdale Road and Williams has expert critical care specialists who know
how to handle these cases if severe.

Brett the Vet's desert danger ranking for the Desert Toad is 4.5/5 on the
desert danger scale because these creatures seem innocuous, are a less
frequent visitor and we don't think about them as being a threat like we do
rattlesnakes.

Have Fun.  Be Safe!
Brett the Vet
www.arizonaanimalhospital.com