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Heartworms in Pets: What Every Pet Owner Needs to Know

Heartworms in Pets: What Every Pet Owner Needs to Know

By -Published On: March 26th, 2025-Categories: Pet Health-

Heartworms are a serious and potentially fatal parasite that affects dogs, cats and other mammals. Understanding the causes, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of heartworms is essential for keeping your pet safe.

What Causes Heartworms?

Heartworms (Dirofilaria immitis) are transmitted through mosquito bites. When an infected mosquito bites a pet, it injects heartworm larvae into the bloodstream. Over time, these larvae mature into adult worms, which can grow up to 12 inches long and live in the heart, lungs, and blood vessels. Heartworm disease is more common in warm, humid regions where mosquitos thrive.

Diagnosis: How Are Heartworms Detected?

Early detection of heartworms is crucial. Vets diagnose heartworms through:

  • Blood Tests: Detect proteins released by adult female heartworms.

  • Antigen Tests: Identify heartworm-specific antigens.

  • Microfilaria Tests: Check for immature heartworms in the bloodstream.

  • Imaging Tests: X-rays and ultrasounds help assess heart and lung damage.

Since symptoms may not appear until the disease is advanced, annual testing is essential for early detection.

Prevention: The Best Defense Against Heartworms

Preventing heartworms is easier and safer than treating them. Options include:

  • Monthly Preventative Medication: Oral, topical, or injectable preventatives kill immature larvae before they develop into adult worms.

  • Mosquito Control: Reduce mosquito exposure by eliminating standing water and using pet-safe insect repellents.

  • Routine Vet Visits: Regular check-ups endure early detection and continued protection.

Prevention is critical because once a pet is infected, treatment can be costly and dangerous.

Treatment: What Happens If a Pet Gets Heartworms?

If a pet tests positive for heartworms, treatment depends on the severity of the infection:

  • Dogs: Treated with melarsomine injections to kill adult worms, combined with antibiotics and steroids to reduce inflammation. Exercise restrictions is necessary during treatment to prevent complications.

  • Cats: There is no approved treatment for heartworms in cats. Supportive care, such as oxygen therapy and medications to manage symptoms, is the only option.

Prognosis: Can Pets Recover from Heartworms?

With early diagnosis and treatment, many dogs can recover from heartworms, though permanent heart and lung damage may occur. Cats may survive with proper care, but some cases are fatal.

Heartworms are a serious but preventable disease. By using year-round prevention and scheduling regular vet check-ups, you can keep your pet safe from this life-threatening parasite. Pin Paws Pet Care provides out-of-pocket assistance for heartworm treatment should your pet become diagnosed after coverage begins. Contact our Member Services Team today for more information at (844) 746-7297.

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comprehensive plans you can customize

Pet parents can select accident and illness coverage with the option to add-on preventative wellness care.

Pin Paws Pet Care is budget friendly. Click below to personalize your pet’s insurance plan today.

comprehensive plans you can customize

Pet parents can select accident and illness coverage with the option to add-on preventative wellness care.

Pin Paws Pet Care is budget-friendly. Click below to personalize your pet’s insurance plan today.

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© 2018 - 2025 Pin Paws, LLC • All Rights Reserved.

1For policies issued by IAIC, coverage for these conditions is subject to a 6-month wait period. Please review your policy for complete details.

2Covered only if related to an illness, injury, or medically necessary

3Grief Counseling services are provided through an agreement with TELUS Health, an unaffiliated third-party service provider. Grief counseling services provided by TELUS Health are separate and apart from the insurance provided by MetLife. Not available to NY residents.

4 Covered only if recommended by a vet for illness, injury, or prevention

5Reimbursement options include: 70%, 80% and 90% and a 50% option for MetGen policies and a 65% option for IAIC policies only. Pet age restrictions may apply.

6Accident and optional Preventive Care coverage begins on midnight EST of the effective day of your policy compared to a wait time of 2 to 15 days for many competitors; Illness coverage begins 14 days from the effective day of your policy compared to 14 to 30 days for many competitors. Based on a March 2023 review of publicly available summary information. Competitors did not furnish copies of their policies for review. If you have questions about a particular competitor’s policy or coverage, please contact them or their representative directly.

Health Coverage for Your Furriest Family Members

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Contact Us

(844) 746-7297

© 2018 - 2025 Pin Paws, LLC • All Rights Reserved.

1For policies issued by IAIC, coverage for these conditions is subject to a 6-month wait period. Please review your policy for complete details.

2Covered only if related to an illness, injury, or medically necessary

3Grief counseling services are provided through an agreement with TELUS Health, an unaffiliated third-party service provider. Read More

4 Covered only if recommended by a vet for illness, injury, or prevention

5Reimbursement options include: 70%, 80% and 90% and a 50% option for MetGen policies and a 65% option for IAIC policies only. Pet age restrictions may apply.

6Accident and optional Preventive Care coverage begins on midnight EST of the effective day of your policy compared to a wait time of 2 to 15 days for many competitors; Read More

Our Pin Paws team will be out of office for the Christmas break from December 23rd to December 29th to enjoy some much-needed time with their loved ones, both two- and four-legged. We’ll be back and ready to assist you on December 30th. If you need immediate assistance or have found a lost pet, please call our 24/7 hotline at 844-746-7297. Thank you for your understanding, and we wish you a wonderful holiday season!

Our Pin Paws team will be out of office for the Christmas break from December 23rd to December 29th to enjoy some much-needed time with their loved ones, both two- and four-legged. We’ll be back and ready to assist you on December 30th. If you need immediate assistance or have found a lost pet, please call our 24/7 hotline at 844-746-7297. Thank you for your understanding, and we wish you a wonderful holiday season!

How Does the Pin Paws Family Plan Work?

The Family plan from Pin Paws Pet Care, backed by MetLife Pet, provides coverage for all your furry family members. You’ll enjoy the advantages of a typical MetLife Pet Insurance plan, but with a single policy and a shared deductible for up to three dogs or cats.

The benefits of the Family Plan are as follows:

  • Enroll up to three pets under one policy
  • Customizable plan options
  • Policies can be a mix of cats and dogs
  • Optional Preventive Care coverage

  • One annual limit shared across all pets in the family plan

  • One annual deductible per policy
  • No per-pet coverage limits

Multiple Pet Discount

Get a discount when you group up to three dogs and cats together on the same plan for easy savings.

Shared Deductible

Add up to three dogs and cats onto the same policy, and hit your deductible faster.

Combine Cats & Dogs

No need to manage multiple plans. Group your cats and dogs into a single plan for simplicity and ease.

Flexible Coverage

A shared annual limit lets you allocate more coverage where needed, while protecting your other pets.

How Pin Paws Pet Care Can Help You Save

Our customizable pet insurance plans can reimburse up to 90% of your vet bills.
Here’s an example of how Pin Paws Pet Care can help a pet parent save.

Skin Allergies

What You Can Save 6

. .
You Pay
$250 Total Vet Bill
$2,500
Piggy Bank
Pin Paws Pet Care Covers $2,250

Growth or Tumor

What You Can Save 6

. .
You Pay
$160 Total Vet Bill
$1,600
Piggy Bank
Pin Paws Pet Care Covers $1,440

Heart Disease

What You Can Save 6

. .
You Pay
$250 Total Vet Bill
$2,500
Piggy Bank
Pin Paws Pet Care Covers $2,250

Diabetes

What You Can Save 6

. .
You Pay
$290 Total Vet Bill
$2,900
Piggy Bank
Pin Paws Pet Care Covers $2,610

Broken Bone

What You Can Save 6

. .
You Pay
$240 Total Vet Bill
$2,400
Piggy Bank
Pin Paws Pet Care Covers $2,160

Severe Trauma

What You Can Save 6

. .
You Pay
$1,000 Total Vet Bill
$10,000
Piggy Bank
Pin Paws Pet Care Covers $9,000

Poisoning

What You Can Save 6

. .
You Pay
$300 Total Vet Bill
$3,000
Piggy Bank
Pin Paws Pet Care Covers $2,700

Cruciate Ligament Tear

What You Can Save 6

. .
You Pay
$500 Total Vet Bill
$5,000
Piggy Bank
Pin Paws Pet Care Covers $4,500

Dental Cleaning

What You Can Save 6

. .
You Pay
$50 Total Vet Bill
$500
Piggy Bank
Pin Paws Pet Care Covers $450

Spay or Neuter

What You Can Save 6

. .
You Pay
$60 Total Vet Bill
$600
Piggy Bank
Pin Paws Pet Care Covers $540

Vaccination

What You Can Save 6

. .
You Pay
$6 Total Vet Bill
$60
Piggy Bank
Pin Paws Pet Care Covers $54

Parasite Prevention

What You Can Save 6

. .
You Pay
$21 Total Vet Bill
$210
Piggy Bank
Pin Paws Pet Care Covers $189

Skin Allergies

What You Can Save 6

. .
You Pay
$250 Total Vet Bill
$2,500
Piggy Bank
Pin Paws Pet Care Covers $2,250

Growth or Tumor

What You Can Save 6

. .
You Pay
$160 Total Vet Bill
$1,600
Piggy Bank
Pin Paws Pet Care Covers $1,440

Heart Disease

What You Can Save 6

. .
You Pay
$250 Total Vet Bill
$2,500
Piggy Bank
Pin Paws Pet Care Covers $2,250

Diabetes

What You Can Save 6

. .
You Pay
$290 Total Vet Bill
$2,900
Piggy Bank
Pin Paws Pet Care Covers $2,610

Broken Bone

What You Can Save 6

. .
You Pay
$240 Total Vet Bill
$2,400
Piggy Bank
Pin Paws Pet Care Covers $2,160

Severe Trauma

What You Can Save 6

. .
You Pay
$1,000 Total Vet Bill
$10,000
Piggy Bank
Pin Paws Pet Care Covers $9,000

Poisoning

What You Can Save 6

. .
You Pay
$300 Total Vet Bill
$3,000
Piggy Bank
Pin Paws Pet Care Covers $2,700

Cruciate Ligament Tear

What You Can Save 6

. .
You Pay
$500 Total Vet Bill
$5,000
Piggy Bank
Pin Paws Pet Care Covers $4,500

Dental Cleaning

What You Can Save 6

. .
You Pay
$50 Total Vet Bill
$500
Piggy Bank
Pin Paws Pet Care Covers $450

Spay or Neuter

What You Can Save 6

. .
You Pay
$60 Total Vet Bill
$600
Piggy Bank
Pin Paws Pet Care Covers $540

Vaccination

What You Can Save 6

. .
You Pay
$6 Total Vet Bill
$60
Piggy Bank
Pin Paws Pet Care Covers $54

Parasite Prevention

What You Can Save 6

. .
You Pay
$21 Total Vet Bill
$210
Piggy Bank
Pin Paws Pet Care Covers $189

Cost info sourced from How Much Does a Vet Visit Cost? and Average emergency vet costs what to expect.

What’s Not Covered Under Pin Paws Pet Care?

To help make insurance premiums affordable for all pet parents, there are some exclusions- as with every pet insurance company. The following are not covered under any Pin Paws Pet Care policy:

  • Pre-existing conditions*
  • Microchipping
  • Breeding or conditions related to breeding
  • Obedience training
  • Grooming costs and routine nail trims
  • Non-prescription food
  • Organ transplant

  • Illness or injury that arises out of racing, coursing, commercial guarding, law enforcement, or organized fighting of your pet

  • Health/travel certificates
  • Elective surgeries

  • Cosmetic or aesthetic procedures

*Pet insurance companies typically don’t fully cover pre-existing conditions, which are generally illnesses, injuries, or symptoms that occurred prior to the coverage date and/or any applicable waiting period. However, MetLife Pet may actually cover certain pre-existing conditions when switching providers. These include conditions that were covered by a previous insurance provider for group policyholders.

What’s Not Covered Under Pin Paws Pet Care?

To help make insurance premiums affordable for all pet parents, there are some exclusions- as with every pet insurance company. The following are not covered under any Pin Paws Pet Care policy:

  • Pre-existing conditions*
  • Microchipping
  • Breeding or conditions related to breeding
  • Obedience training
  • Grooming costs and routine nail trims
  • Non-prescription food
  • Organ transplant

  • Illness or injury that arises out of racing, coursing, commercial guarding, law enforcement, or organized fighting of your pet

  • Health/travel certificates
  • Elective surgeries

  • Cosmetic or aesthetic procedures

*Pet insurance companies typically don’t fully cover pre-existing conditions, which are generally illnesses, injuries, or symptoms that occurred prior to the coverage date and/or any applicable waiting period. However, MetLife Pet may actually cover certain pre-existing conditions when switching providers. These include conditions that were covered by a previous insurance provider for group policyholders.

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