Heartworm Awareness Month: Protecting Your Pet in Downtown Chicago

Whether your dog joins you for early morning walks along the river or your cat spends their day watching the city from a sunny window, one thing is true across both Streeterville and the West Loop, your pet is family.

April is Heartworm Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to check in on your pet’s protection and make sure they’re covered year-round.

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What is Heartworm Disease?

Heartworm disease is caused by parasites that are spread through mosquito bites. Once inside your pet’s body, these worms grow and live in the heart, lungs, and surrounding blood vessels, leading to serious health complications over time.

Even in a city environment, heartworm is a real risk. Mosquitoes thrive near water, parks, and even in urban buildings, which means pets in both neighborhoods are exposed more often than many people realize.

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Can Both Dogs and Cats Get Heartworm?

Yes and this is one of the most common misconceptions we hear.

Dogs

Dogs are natural hosts for heartworms, so infections can grow and become severe if left untreated.

Cats

Cats are more resistant, but that doesn’t mean they’re safe. In fact, heartworm disease in cats is often harder to detect, and there’s no approved treatment.

As we explain in our feline heartworm blog, even indoor cats are at risk from a single mosquito that makes its way inside.

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Why This Matters for City Pets

• Busy schedules and long workdays
• Regular walks, outings, or travel with pets
• Pets that are deeply integrated into daily life

In fact, most households we serve are individuals or couples without children, where pets truly take center stage.

That combination means:

• Dogs are frequently outdoors and exposed
• Cats are indoors but not fully protected
• It’s easy to fall behind on monthly prevention

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The Good News: Prevention is Simple

Heartworm disease is one of the most preventable conditions we see.

A simple prevention plan includes:

• Monthly preventatives (for both dogs and cats)
• Annual heartworm testing for dogs
• Routine wellness visits to stay on track

Prevention is far easier and far less stressful than treatment.

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An Easy Option for Dogs:
ProHeart 12

We know that staying consistent with monthly prevention can be challenging, especially with busy schedules.

That’s why we offer ProHeart 12, a once-yearly heartworm prevention injection for dogs.

With a single visit, your dog is protected for 12 full months—no monthly doses to remember, no gaps in coverage.

For many of our clients in Streeterville and the West Loop, this is a simple way to stay on track and feel confident their dog is consistently protected year-round.

If you’re interested in a more convenient option, our team is happy to talk through whether ProHeart 12 is the right fit for your dog.

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Signs Are Easy to Miss

Heartworm disease often develops quietly.

In dogs:

• Mild cough
• Fatigue after activity
• Decreased appetite

In cats:

• Coughing or asthma-like symptoms
• Vomiting
• Subtle behavior changes

Because these signs can be vague, many pets don’t show obvious symptoms until the disease has progressed.

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How We Help Make It Easy

We know your schedule is full, and pet care should feel manageable, not overwhelming.

At West Loop Veterinary Care and our Streeterville location, we focus on:

• Clear, personalized prevention plans
• Easy scheduling that fits your routine
• Reminders so you never miss a dose
• A relationship-based approach where we truly know you and your pet

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A Quick Check-In Can Make All the Difference

If you’re unsure whether your pet is up to date, now is the perfect time to check.

A simple visit allows us to:

• Start or refill prevention
• Run a quick heartworm test for dogs
• Answer any questions about your pet’s lifestyle and risk

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