 
Believe it or not, warm weather is right around the corner! With warmer temps come our bug friends, including mosquitoes that can transmit deadly heartworm disease. For some pet parents, that might mean they are gearing up to restart their dogs’ monthly heartworm preventatives. Don’t fall for this common trap! Did you know you should have your dog on year-round heartworm prevention for it to be most effective?
Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes. It might seem like those annoying pests disappear with the first freeze, but they can be very persistent and adapt to colder temperatures. Our weather fluctuates so much, it is impossible to tell when mosquitoes are officially gone. The heartworm parasite lifecycle also makes stopping prevention for a few winter months potentially dangerous. When a mosquito bites a heartworm-positive dog, they ingest the heartworm larvae which develops into the infective stage inside the mosquito. When the mosquito bites another dog, it transmits the larvae to the next pet. The monthly preventative pills kill the developing larvae before they can mature. If you stop heartworm prevention after the first freeze, you miss treating any straggler mosquito bites. The infective larvae will then have the chance to develop into adult heartworms over the winter months.
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On top of prevention of heartworm disease, most heartworm prevention medications also treat our pets for intestinal parasites. Stopping those for part of the year means these worms can infect your pet and cause stomach upset or diarrhea.
Even if your pet is on heartworm prevention year-round, it is still recommended to have them heartworm tested yearly. No medication is 100% effective and if you miss a dose, give it late, or your dog spits out or vomits a pill, they are susceptible to becoming infected. If you don’t get your pet a test, you won’t know if they need treatment, and the disease can advance. Check out the VCA website to learn more the progression of heartworm disease and treatment options.
Most people are aware that dogs need monthly heartworm prevention. Although the disease is different in cats, they can still become infected. Be sure to ask your veterinarian how to protect your kitty friends as well! It’s important to have a heart for our pets’ heart health all year round!
 Dr. Kristin Tvrdik, DVM
Deputy Administrator Veterinarian
2024 saw a lot of challenges at DCAS. Construction of the shelter addition put a dent in our style, but even with the hardships, we saw an amazing year with a 94% Save Rate!
 At the end of last year, we moved into the newly completed shelter addition off Manchester Road. As we enter the final stages of our construction project, we look forward to all the exciting opportunities ahead. Stay tuned for information about our open house in June to celebrate with us!
As excited as we are, there is still much work to be done. We are thankful to our DuPage Animal Friends board for continuing to fundraise on behalf of our animals and this new building project. Save the date for the 2nd Annual Raise the Woof Gala on April 25, 2025 at the Sheraton Lisle Naperville. You can also make a legacy gift towards the new building with naming opportunities in many of our new and renovated spaces. Learn more at www.dupageanimalfriends.org.
Shy. Timid. Hide and Seek champions. The Bashful Buddies at DCAS require a special kind of love to thrive. They need patience and understanding. Cats with this designation tend to need extra time to warm up to a new home. They may not want to cuddle or play with their new family right away. But that understanding lends to a lifelong friendship.
Smitten the Kitten has grown up in our care recovering from a fractured leg and pelvis. She's done wonderfully in her foster home, learning to trust and enjoying the company of the other cats. She loves to play and would do great in a quiet home that will give her the time and space to come out of her shell!
Are you ready to see beyond the scaredy-cat front to the amazing friend just waiting for their time to shine? Click her photo to see some playtime fun and fill out an application today!
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$100 per participant, 16 years old and up.
Follow the link below to register. Slots are available first come, first served.
This course teaches first aid techniques to address the most common emergencies pet owners may experience with dogs and cats in the household. This course will train you to notice abnormalities and detect early warning signs in pets. You will also learn essential pre-vet care and life-saving techniques for those times when immediate action can make all the difference.
Please remember, your slot is not secured until payment is received.
February 8, 2025 9am-3pm
https://bit.ly/DCASFirstAid
DCAS is pleased to announce our continuing partnership with libraries throughout DuPage County to reach more members of our community. See the current list of programs offered and contact your local library to register.
Children/Teens
Adults
We hope to see you at a program soon!
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