Your Dog’s Health & Wellness

Awareness and Prevention of Heartworm, Lyme Disease, and First Aid Musts

April brings warmer days, blooming flowers, and the perfect excuse to grab the leash and head outside with your dog. After all, what’s better than a sunny stroll, a fresh breeze, and a happy pup trotting beside you? But with more outdoor adventures come a few extra responsibilities because as the world wakes up from winter, so do mosquitoes, ticks, and other potential health risks for your four-legged friend.

Did you know April is also American Red Cross Pet First Aid Awareness Month, National Heartworm Awareness Month, and Prevention of Lyme Disease in Dogs Month? It’s no coincidence that heartworm-carrying mosquitoes and Lyme disease-spreading ticks become more active. That’s why now is the perfect time to ensure your dog is protected, from vet check-ups to parasite prevention to having the right first aid supplies. A little preparation now means more carefree adventures, wagging tails, and much more fun this season!

The Importance of Regular Vet Visits

One of the most important things you can do for your dog is schedule regular veterinary visits. Routine check-ups allow your vet to catch potential health issues early, keep up with necessary vaccinations, and recommend the best parasite prevention for your pet. Many heartworm preventatives also protect against intestinal parasites, fleas, and ticks, making them a simple yet crucial part of your dog’s wellness routine. Keeping up with vet visits ensures your dog stays protected year-round, and your vet can help guide you on the best approach based on your pet’s lifestyle and risk factors.

Regular check-ups are especially crucial when it comes to preventing diseases like heartworm and Lyme disease. These conditions can have devastating effects, but both are largely preventable with the right vet-recommended medications and care. Since these illnesses often don’t show symptoms until they have progressed significantly, prevention is always easier and safer than treatment. A simple yearly test for heartworms and a discussion with your vet about the best flea and tick prevention for your dog’s environment can go a long way in keeping them safe.

Heartworm Disease: The Silent Threat

Heartworm disease is a particularly dangerous condition that often goes unnoticed until it reaches advanced stages. Transmitted through mosquito bites, heartworm larvae enter the bloodstream and mature into worms that can cause severe damage to the heart, lungs, and arteries. The scary part? Many dogs show little to no symptoms until the disease has progressed significantly. That’s why prevention is key—once a dog becomes infected, treatment is difficult, expensive, and potentially risky.

Fortunately, heartworm disease is almost entirely preventable. Monthly oral or topical preventatives and annual heartworm testing can keep your pet safe. Since mosquitoes can be active even in cooler months, year-round prevention is the best way to ensure your dog is always protected.

Your vet can recommend a heartworm prevention plan tailored to your dog’s specific needs, and many of these preventatives also help guard against other parasites, making them an all-in-one solution for your pet’s health.

Lyme Disease: A Growing Concern for Dogs

Just like heartworms, Lyme disease is another hidden threat that can impact your dog’s long-term health. Unlike heartworms, which are transmitted by mosquitoes, Lyme disease spreads through tick bites, particularly from black-legged (deer) ticks. These ticks thrive in wooded areas, grassy fields, and even suburban yards, making it easy for dogs to pick them up during walks or outdoor play.

Lyme disease can take weeks or even months to show symptoms, and when it does, it often appears as shifting lameness, swollen joints, lethargy, or even kidney complications. Because symptoms can be delayed, many pet owners don’t realize their dog has been infected until the disease has progressed. The best way to protect your dog is through consistent tick prevention, such as oral or topical flea and tick medications, tick collars, and regular tick checks after outdoor adventures.

In high-risk areas, your vet may also recommend the Lyme disease vaccine as an added layer of protection. Since ticks carry other dangerous diseases as well, keeping your pet on a year-round flea and tick prevention is one of the simplest ways to ensure their safety.

Pro Tip: If your dog spends a lot of time outdoors, especially in areas with tall grass or dense vegetation, checking them for ticks after every outing is a great habit to develop.

Pet First Aid: Being Prepared for Emergencies

While prevention is crucial, being prepared for emergencies is just as important.

Accidents and sudden illnesses can happen at any time, and having a well-stocked pet first aid kit can make a big difference before you’re able to get your dog to the vet.

Every pet owner should have essential first aid supplies on hand, including:

• Pet-safe antiseptics

• Gauze

• Tweezers for tick removal

• A digital thermometer

Knowing how to respond to common emergencies—such as wounds, allergic reactions, heatstroke, or choking—can help stabilize your dog and prevent a situation from getting worse.

If your dog gets a minor cut, cleaning it properly and applying a pet-safe antiseptic can prevent infection.

If they have an allergic reaction to a bug bite or bee sting, having Benadryl (diphenhydramine) on hand—but only using it under veterinary guidance—can help manage symptoms until you can get them professional care.

If your dog shows signs of overheating (heatstroke is another serious risk, especially during the warmer months), such as excessive panting, drooling, or lethargy, moving them to a shaded or air-conditioned area and offering small amounts of cool water can help while you contact your vet.

In cases of choking, only attempt to remove the object if it is easily visible and reachable—otherwise, it’s best to head to the vet immediately.

Organizations like the American Red Cross offer pet first aid courses, which can be invaluable in helping you feel more confident in an emergency. Being prepared doesn’t just give you peace of mind but also saves your dog’s life.

Protect Your Dog’s Health Now

This April, take a moment to check in on your dog’s health routine.

• Are their vet visits up to date?

• Are they on a solid heartworm and flea/tick prevention plan?

• Do you have the right first-aid supplies on hand?

Your dog’s well-being depends on your proactive care, prevention, and preparedness. A little effort now can go a long way in ensuring your four-legged companion stays safe, healthy, and by your side for years to come.

At North Fork Animal Welfare League (NFAWL), we are committed to raising awareness and providing resources to help pet owners keep their dogs happy and healthy. Whether it’s through education, advocacy, or connecting animals with loving homes, our goal is to support the well-being of every pet in our community. By staying informed and proactive about your dog’s health, you’re not only protecting your pet but also setting an example for responsible pet ownership.