Whether you’re planning a road trip, flying across the country, or just visiting family a few states away, traveling with your pet takes some planning. While you’re packing food and bedding for your pet, don’t forget an important travel essential: heartworm prevention. For National Heartworm Awareness Month at Northern Pike Veterinary Hospital, we want to remind all pet owners that heartworm risk doesn’t take a vacation even when your pet is on the move.

Different Locations, Different Heartworm Disease Risks

One of the biggest factors in heartworm exposure is geography. Traveling to new areas can expose your pet to higher mosquito activity and unfamiliar risks.

• Warm, humid destinations have active mosquito populations year-round.

• Coastal and southern regions are especially high-risk zones for heartworm transmission.

• Even areas with lower mosquito counts can surprise you with outbreaks, especially after rainfall.

Veterinarians strongly recommend that every cat and dog is on heartworm prevention all year long. However, if you are inconsistent in their parasite prevention, check whether your destination has an elevated heartworm risk and stay consistent with your pet’s prevention routine for heartworm as well as common parasites like fleas and ticks.

Don’t Assume Indoor Pets Are Safe From Heartworm

Many pet owners believe that indoor pets are naturally protected from heartworm disease, but mosquitoes can easily enter hotel rooms, vacation rentals, and homes through open doors, windows, and screen gaps. If you are traveling with your pet:

• Keep screens secured at your accommodations.

• Avoid dusk and dawn walks when mosquitoes are most active.

• Use veterinarian-approved mosquito repellents when appropriate.

Most importantly, make sure your pet is up to date on their heartworm prevention before you leave.

Heartworm Prevention Is Easy to Pack

Luckily, heartworm prevention is one of the easiest travel essentials to bring along. Be sure to pack enough doses to cover your pet’s entire trip. Mark your calendar with the dosing date while you’re away. For longer stays, request a refill of your pet’s heartworm medication from your veterinarian before you depart. If your dog is on a long-acting injectable heartworm preventative, make sure their next dose isn’t due during your travels. A little preparation goes a long way in keeping your pet safe.

Also, remember to have your pet tested annually for heartworm during a wellness exam, even if you are consistent with their prevention while you are away. Heartworm tests ensure that no heartworm infections were picked up while traveling and heartworm medication efforts have been effective.

Travel Smart: Protect Your Pet with Heartworm Prevention in Monroeville, PA

Adventures with your pet should be fun and worry-free. Remember, while you’re exploring new places, mosquitoes can be flying nearby. By staying consistent with prevention and keeping Northern Pick Veterinary Hospital in the loop, you can make sure heartworm disease never becomes an unwanted travel souvenir. Planning a trip with your pet from Monroeville or nearby areas like Pittsburgh, McKeesport, and Greensburg? Book an appointment to get a heartworm test and check your pet’s heartworm prevention status to get travel-ready.