What do Overland Park, Kansas, the California cities of San Francisco, Thousand Oaks, Salinas and Oceanside, along with Laredo, Texas, Clarksville, Tennessee, Portland, Oregon Providence, Rhode Island and Jersey City, New Jersey have in common? They share the dubious honor of being named earlier this year, the top 10 cities in the United States with the highest percentage increases in positive heartworm tests in our companion pets.

This mosquito-borne disease can be deadly to cats and dogs. And it's one hundred percent preventable. But what if you don't live in one of these areas? What if your pet is totally indoors? What if you've never seen mosquitoes? Do you still have to worry? My guest today is an expert in veterinary parasitology and has had first-hand experience in the devastating effects that this disease can have on our pets. Dr. Cassan Pulaski has a masters of preventive health and is a doctor of veterinary medicine. She's a member of the Board of the Companion Animal Parasite Council, a post doctorate research and teaching associate at the University of Georgia, and director of the parasitology section of the Athens Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. She knows what she's talking about. And we'll be chatting with her this week. Tune in!

EPISODE NOTES: The Heartbreak of Heartworms

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