WILMINGTON, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The bad news for North Carolina’s pets is that the Tar Heel State remains in the top ten states for one of the deadliest diseases threatening dogs and cats: heartworm disease. According to the American Heartworm Society (AHS), which conducts a nationwide incidence survey every three years, North Carolina ranks #7 among the states with the highest rates of heartworm-positive pets.
The latest AHS survey is based on testing data from the 2013 calendar year. More than 4,500 veterinary practices and shelters in the nation participated, contributing data from an estimated 3.5 million patients. Results of the survey are being released to help pet owners better understand the threat of heartworm disease, both nationwide and in their area.
A state-by-state breakout of the findings lists Alabama as the leading state in heartworm incidence, followed by Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Arkansas, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia and Oklahoma. Three years ago, North Carolina held the #8 spot.
The American Heartworm Society bases their rankings on the average number of heartworm-positive dogs per clinic. During the 2013 calendar year, North Carolina veterinary practices reported an average of 30 heartworm-positive dogs per clinic, compared to 25 dogs per clinic in 2010.
“We believe that far too many pets in North Carolina are affected with heartworm disease, states AHS president and veterinarian Stephen Jones, DVM. “However, we also know that veterinarians and pet owners have the power to prevent this deadly disease. In fact, in a questionnaire completed by veterinarians participating in the AHS Incidence Survey, veterinarians who noted that heartworm incidence had increased in their practice areas said the leading reason was pet owners not administering heartworm preventives on time and as directed.”
Heartworm disease affects pets nationwide
Heartworm disease
has been diagnosed in all 50 states, and states in the southeast
quadrant of the U.S. historically have led the nation in heartworm
incidence. Heartworm disease is spread via mosquitoes, and warm-weather
states with high mosquito populations face significant disease risk.
High local populations of infected dogs and wildlife (coyotes and foxes
carry heartworm) also increase the risk of heartworm to unprotected pets.
Treatment for heartworm infection in dogs is available, but is costly and requires strict supervision by both veterinarians and owners, as well as several months of cage confinement. Dr. Jones notes that while dogs with heartworm disease can be successfully treated, the infection can cause permanent damage to a pet’s organs and circulatory system. Meanwhile, there is no approved treatment medication for heartworm disease in cats.
The annual cost of prevention typically runs less than ten percent of the cost of treatment. In addition, a number of heartworm preventives also protect pets against intestinal parasites and fleas as well as heartworms.
“Heartworm disease is a deadly—but preventable—disease,” Dr. Jones concludes. “That’s why the American Heartworm Society recommends that pets be tested for heartworm each year and that dogs and cats be put on preventive medicine for heartworm year-round.”
For more information on heartworm disease and the AHS Heartworm Incidence Survey, visit www.heartwormsociety.org.