Often times, when a veterinarian or a clinic staff member talks about heartworm disease to a client, we feel like a broken record because we repeat it so much. Similarly, when clients listen to us talk about heartworm disease, they often act like they are listening to a broken record.

When I was in veterinary school, I went to the dentist for a routine visit. When he asked me if I flossed regularly, I said “no.” His reply was a simple “We don’t tell our clients to floss simply to hear ourselves talk.” The realization hit me that he was right - he was making a simple recommendation that would have a huge impact on my oral health. I have flossed ever since.

Heartworm is no different. Despite the educational efforts of veterinarians and the companies who make heartworm control products, the incidence of heartworm disease nationwide is increasing significantly.

Why is this? It is not because Veterinarians aren’t talking. It is because clients are not listening.

Heartworm disease is simple - pets need to be on preventative medications at least seasonally, and ideally year round, and they need to be blood tested intermittently to monitor their status.

My feelings about heartworm disease were summed up by a client, who upon purchasing her supply of preventative for her two dogs commented, “Why would people not put their pets on preventative?”

I wonder if the people who don’t use heartworm preventative also do not floss their teeth?

Recently, the City of New London has entered into an agreement with our clinic to promote a trap - neuter - release (TNR) program for cats. The essence of the program is that if there is a colony of feral cats, we will spay or neuter them and release them back into their habitat. The idea is to allow them to lead out their lives without the ability to reproduce. Such programs have been successful across the country in gradually reducing the number of unwanted strays.

Recently, a concerned person approached us about a colony he was supporting. There were over fifty cats in the colony and he did not want to have endless kittens born this spring. While he was from out of the area and did not qualify for the city program, we reached an agreement on a low cost spay / neuter plan, and we quickly castrated and spayed all of his 53 cats. The owner is willing to support the colony with food and shelter, and I sleep a little better at night knowing that endless litters of unwanted kittens will not be produced.

The magnitude of the problem is almost endless, however, and it would take almost every veterinarian in the country to spay and castrate an endless number of animals to bring the problem under control.

One cannot get discouraged, however. As they say, “the journey of a thousand miles starts with one step.”