Heartworms in Cairn Terriers

Heartworms are spread by misquitos. We can prevent heartworms with a monthly preventative such as Heartguard. Cairn Terrier puppies are started on heartworm prevention at 11-12 wks old, but testing for the presence of heartworms can't be done until a dog is 7 months old due to the lifestage of the worm. Therefore it's important to test your dog at about 1yr - 1 1/2yrs, even if they've had regular Heartworm prevention. It is possible to get heartworms before starting the preventative but rarely while on monthly prevention. If your Cairn Terrier is not on heartworm prevention, see your vet right away. Particularly during "misquito weather" the risk is great, and once infected heartworms is expensive to treat and is otherwise fatal. Monthly prevention also treats them for intestinal parasites.