{"id":83,"date":"2015-04-14T17:00:38","date_gmt":"2015-04-15T00:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.moonlightdogcafe.com\/?p=83"},"modified":"2026-04-08T16:03:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T23:03:10","slug":"heartworm-in-dogs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/pet-health-pet-nutrition\/dog-cat-health\/flea-prevention-dogs-cats\/heartworm-in-dogs","title":{"rendered":"How to Prevent Heartworm in Dogs in Canada: Smart, Region-Based Advice"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What Is Heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis)?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Heartworm (<em>Dirofilaria immitis<\/em>) is a parasitic roundworm that lives in the pulmonary arteries and heart of infected animals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Heartworm disease in dogs is actually a misnomer. <strong>Heartworm is a parasite and less of a disease<\/strong>. The parasite Dirofilaria immitis, lives in a dog\u2019s heart and lungs. Over time, adult worms cause inflammation and damage to the lungs and heart, which can progress to serious cardiovascular disease if untreated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dogs cannot contract heartworm directly from other dogs \u2014 the parasite is transmitted only through <strong>mosquito bites<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Is Heartworm a Big Problem in Canada?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>No. <strong>Prevalence is generally low<\/strong>, but not zero. \u2014 the <strong>risk varies significantly<\/strong> by region. While Canada is generally a <em>low-prevalence<\/em> country for heartworm, there are focal \u201chot spots.\u201d Heartworm occurs in warmer regions, where summer temperatures are high enough for the worm larvae to survive inside the carrier mosquitoes. &nbsp; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Canadian Parasitology Expert Panel (CPEP) highlights high-risk\/ endemic areas in Canada as: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>southern Ontario, <\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>southern Quebec, <\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>southern<\/strong> <strong>Manitoba, <\/strong>and <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>the Okanagan in British Columbia <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>where it tends to get quite warm from Spring till Fall.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the Canadian Parasitology Expert Panel (CPEP), <strong>southern Ontario<\/strong> sees most of the cases. Shelter data report a higher prevalence in certain populations: one Ontario shelter found <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/32521391\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>3.9\u202f% of tested dogs<\/strong> positive (2015\u20132018)<\/a>, though many were imported or relocated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC6515813\/pdf\/cvj_06_605.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Climate change may expand transmission risk:<\/a> warmer \u201chot spots\u201d and longer mosquito seasons increase the risk of heartworm development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How Does a Dog Get Heartworm?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Heartworm in dogs occurs in <strong>ONLY these conditions<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A <strong>mosquito<\/strong> bites an infected animal and ingests microfilariae (early parasite stage).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The next stages all happen in the mosquito. In order for the larvae to develop (Stage L-1 to L-3) in the mosquito, <strong>the temperature&nbsp;must not go below&nbsp;14 C for at least&nbsp;two weeks<\/strong>. If at any point the temperature drops, the process is halted.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Full development cannot occur if the temperature is not above&nbsp;18 C for at least two weeks.<\/mark>&nbsp;This means it&nbsp;could be a cumulative of 1 month at those temperatures for development in the mosquito.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>At stage L-3, the larvae are transported into the saliva of the mosquito to be transmitted to a dog.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The larvae undergo a transition to stage L-4 when a mosquito bites the dog and&nbsp;<span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">are under the dog&#8217;s skin and take about 3 to 4 months<\/span> to develop into L-5 and travel in the dog&#8217;s bloodstream to the heart and lungs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It then takes another approximately 6-7 months to reach adult maturity as heartworms (L6). Clinical disease may take <strong>6\u20137 months<\/strong> to be detectable by antigen tests.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/pet-health-pet-nutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Heartworm-Lifecycle-FDA.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"879\" height=\"735\" src=\"https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/pet-health-pet-nutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Heartworm-Lifecycle-FDA.png\" alt=\"Heartworm Lifecycle diagram in dogs courtesy of FDA\" class=\"wp-image-707\" style=\"width:659px;height:551px\" title=\"Heartworm Lifecycle diagram in dogs courtesy of FDA\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/pet-health-pet-nutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Heartworm-Lifecycle-FDA.png 879w, https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/pet-health-pet-nutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Heartworm-Lifecycle-FDA-150x125.png 150w, https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/pet-health-pet-nutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Heartworm-Lifecycle-FDA-300x251.png 300w, https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/pet-health-pet-nutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Heartworm-Lifecycle-FDA-768x642.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 879px) 100vw, 879px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Heartworm Lifecycle in dogs courtesy of FDA<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Is Heartworm in Dogs Contagious?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\">No \u2014 heartworm is <strong>not spread dog-to-dog<\/strong>. The only way a dog gets infected is through a mosquito that is carrying infective larvae. The transmission of the parasitic heartworm is only through mosquito bites. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\">So, a dog next to an infected dog does <em>not<\/em> catch heartworm directly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Can Cats Get Heartworm?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\"><strong>Cats are not natural hosts for the worms<\/strong> (i.e. most worms do not develop into adults in cats). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\">However, cats can still get heartworm. The number of worms will be significantly less than dogs if at all infected. <span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Note that for cats, prevention is the best solution as cats cannot be medicated with heartworm drugs used for dogs<\/span>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\">This is based on information from the American Heartworm Society. There seem to be a number of new heartworm preventives that are now available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Diagnosing Heartworm in Canada \u2014 Testing Rules to Know<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Primary screen:<\/strong> antigen blood test (detects antigens from adult female worms). Because of the parasite\u2019s lifecycle, antigen tests can be negative for several months after infection \u2014 wait ~6\u20137 months post-exposure for reliable detection\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In low\u2011prevalence areas (most of Canada), a positive test needs careful interpretation \u2014 repeat testing can help confirm.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best practice in endemic zones:<\/strong> According to <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/research-groups.usask.ca\/cpep\/index.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Canadian Parasitology Expert Panel<\/a><\/strong> test in <strong>spring (April\u2013May)<\/strong> before starting preventives, and again <strong>6\u20137 months after the last mosquito exposure<\/strong> if indicated. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Effective Heartworm Prevention Strategies for Canadian Dogs?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>a) Preventive Medication<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Do you need to stay on a monthly heartworm drug regiment for dogs such as Heartguard in Canada? It depends on if you are in any of the high risk areas. \n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/research-groups.usask.ca\/cpep\/index.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Canadian Parasitology Expert Panel<\/a><\/strong> suggests monthly preventives from June\u202f1 to November\u202f1 in many parts of Canada. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-black-color\">A<\/mark>ccording to a number of holistic vets, consider a <strong>risk-based approach<\/strong> if you are in a low prevalence area. Consider <strong>seasonal or reduced-frequency dosing<\/strong>. From the information on larvae development, you can deduce that providing your dog with a heartworm medication every month could be counterproductive especially when it gets cold.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>According to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.terrierman.com\/heartworm-seasonality-knight-LOK.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span style=\"color:#0c3bf7\" class=\"has-inline-color\">research<\/span><\/a> conducted and also the article below from holistic vet, Dr Dobias, you are not purchasing more protection for your pet. He suggests <a href=\"http:\/\/peterdobias.com\/blogs\/blog\/11015045-are-drug-companies-honest-about-heartworm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span style=\"color:#0c3bf7\" class=\"has-inline-color\">reducing your heartworm medication to once every 3 to 4 months<\/span><\/a>. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Other holistic vets recommend at six to eight week intervals if you have to use these at all.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A good analogy I&#8217;ve heard is &#8211;&nbsp;<strong>staying on a monthly heartworm drug regimen is the same as applying sunscreen at night.<\/strong> &nbsp;Meaning it is pointless when mosquitos are not in season. This is especially true in the context of most Canadian dogs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>b) Environmental Control<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Eliminate or reduce <strong>standing water<\/strong> around your yard to limit mosquito breeding.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use <strong>mosquito repellents \/ screens<\/strong> in high-risk seasons.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Consider keeping dogs indoors during <strong>dusk and dawn<\/strong>, when many mosquito species are most active.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>c) Regular Testing<\/strong> <strong>and Travel Considerations<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Annual antigen testing is recommended for dogs, especially before or after seasonal preventives. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If your dog travels to higher-risk regions or is adopted from an endemic area, test before starting or continuing preventives.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Risks &amp; Side Effects of Heartworm &#8220;Medication&#8221; for Dogs?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Preventive medications have changed modern heartworm control \u2014 they are highly effective and have dramatically reduced disease in many regions. At the same time, pet owners should be informed about safety, rare adverse events, and how to use preventives responsibly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What classes and examples are used in Canada?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Macrocyclic lactones<\/strong> (ivermectin, moxidectin, selamectin) are the basis for most heartworm preventives (e.g., Heartgard [ivermectin], ProHeart [moxidectin injection], Revolution [selamectin topical]). <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Reported side effects \u2014 what the evidence shows<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Most animals tolerate labeled heartworm preventives without problems. Common transient side effects reported in field studies or product labeling include <strong>mild gastrointestinal upset<\/strong> (vomiting, diarrhea), inappetence, lethargy, and rarely neurologic signs in predisposed individuals. Serious reactions are uncommon. Regulatory agencies and product labels report observed adverse events during clinical trials and post-marketing surveillance; these are used to guide safe use. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Some injectable or long-acting products (e.g., ProHeart formulations) have specific safety profiles and monitoring recommendations; veterinarians review patient history before use. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/wayback.archive-it.org\/7993\/20170114023722\/http:\/\/www.fda.gov\/downloads\/AdvisoryCommittees\/CommitteesMeetingMaterials\/VeterinaryMedicineAdvisoryCommittee\/UCM127121.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">FDA study in 2004<\/a> showed adverse reactions ranging from <strong>depression, vomiting, limpness, licking lips, shaking, diarrhea, liver lesions, anaphylaxis, convulsions to severe cases of death<\/strong>. Despite using the preventatives, the study showed that in some cases, the dogs were not protected at all and reported heartworm infections. &nbsp;Meaning that dogs can still become infected or dogs can have worms despite being on these pesticides.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Flea\/tick combination products &amp; isoxazolines<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Several modern combination products (Bravecto, NexGard, Simparica, Credelio, etc.) use <strong>isoxazoline<\/strong> active ingredients for flea\/tick control. These are new chewable combination pills.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Reported side effects \u2014 what the evidence shows<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The FDA and other regulators have noted that a small subset of animals can experience <strong>neurologic adverse reactions<\/strong> (tremors, ataxia, seizures) after exposure to these products; most animals tolerate them without issue, but caution is advised in pets with a history of neurologic disease. Discuss history and product choice with your vet.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>However, the side effects include&nbsp;<strong>vomiting, kidney failure in some cases<\/strong> and for Simparica, seizures and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.zoetisus.com\/content\/_assets\/docs\/Petcare\/simparica-pi.pdf?_ga=2.87698072.1467967983.1691268085-176865574.1691268085\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#0c3bf7\" class=\"has-inline-color\">a dog being studied had to be euthanized<\/mark><\/a> when overdosed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>We&#8217;d suggest that you research each product to see the list of adverse reactions before deciding to&nbsp;put your pet on these medications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why Isn\u2019t This Information Highlighted by the American Heartworm Society?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The American Heartworm Society (AHS) provides widely accepted guidelines for heartworm prevention, but it\u2019s important for pet parents to understand <em>how<\/em> these recommendations are shaped. The organization is sponsored by several pharmaceutical companies that manufacture heartworm preventives, which naturally raises questions about potential bias in how information is presented. This doesn\u2019t mean the information is incorrect\u2014but it does mean pet owners should review multiple perspectives, including holistic veterinary insights, before deciding what\u2019s right for their dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Heartworm is a real parasitic threat, and prevention absolutely matters. However, the level of risk varies dramatically by region and climate. For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Pet parents in warm, high-mosquito regions such as Florida often require year-round prevention.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Dog owners in colder climates\u2014such as most of Canada or northern U.S. states like Minnesota\u2014may only need seasonal, targeted prevention based on temperature conditions.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Because risk isn\u2019t the same everywhere, a one-size-fits-all recommendation doesn\u2019t always serve pet parents well. Understanding regional climate patterns, mosquito activity, and the heartworm lifecycle helps you make a more informed, balanced decision about how often your dog actually needs protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Natural Prevention of Heartworm in Dogs Step-By-Step ?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/pet-health-pet-nutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Preventing-Heartworm-in-Dogs-683x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1062\" style=\"width:171px;height:256px\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/pet-health-pet-nutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Preventing-Heartworm-in-Dogs-683x1024.png 683w, https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/pet-health-pet-nutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Preventing-Heartworm-in-Dogs-100x150.png 100w, https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/pet-health-pet-nutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Preventing-Heartworm-in-Dogs-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/pet-health-pet-nutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Preventing-Heartworm-in-Dogs.png 735w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>For pet parents interested in holistic strategies, here are some additional steps to combine with, or in place of, conventional preventives:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list has-normal-font-size\">\n<li>Use blood testing to detect specific heartworm proteins, called antigens (DNA testing is more effective according to Dr. Dobias) to screen for any presence of heartworm before using heartworm preventatives at least once a year.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Talk to your holistic vet about homeopathic treatments or heartworm medications which do not include unnecessary dewormers for dogs.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If you&#8217;d like to use heartworm medications, Dr. Dobias suggests every 3 to 4 months in hot temperatures. Other vets suggest about 6 to 8 weeks if the conditions are right.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You could also consider using&nbsp;the lowest effective dose according to another holistic vet.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Look into natural herbal repellent collars or herbal spot on treatments that have Geranium Oil or citronella.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>These are also effective flea and tick repellents.<\/strong>&nbsp;Note that essential oils can be toxic to cats if ingested. Just because it is natural does not mean it should be dabbed on your animal.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Here are some examples of <span style=\"color:#0c3bf7\" class=\"has-inline-color\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/supplements\/dog-supplements\/flea-tick-bug-prevention\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">herbal repellent collars and natural spot-on treatments formulated by a holistic vet<\/a><\/span> for your dog&#8217;s safety.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\">Note that heartworm medications are insecticides that kill <strong>only the larvae<\/strong> and not the heartworm. In some cases now, some medications can kill the L5 stage.&nbsp; The treatment for adult heartworm is different. In the past, drugs used to kill heartworm were toxic and contained arsenic. Prevention based on the cycles tends to be the best key. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How to Talk to Your Vet \u2014 Questions to Ask<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u201cIs my area considered endemic, and what prevention schedule do you recommend for my dog?\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201cShould my dog be tested now (spring) before starting preventives?\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201cGiven my dog\u2019s age\/health\/meds, which preventive product is safest?\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201cIf we travel to a warmer region, what additional testing or prevention should I do?\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201cAre there non-chemical or complementary strategies you recommend in my case?\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Putting It Together \u2014 A Practical Canadian Plan<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Know your local risk<\/strong> \u2014 check CPEP\/regional guidance or ask your vet. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Test appropriately<\/strong> \u2014 ideally in spring before preventive season in endemic zones; repeat 6\u20137 months after last exposure when indicated. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Use preventive medication<\/strong> according to your vet\u2019s recommendation and local risk (CPEP: June 1\u2013Nov 1 in many endemic areas). <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Adopt environmental controls<\/strong> (remove standing water, avoid peak mosquito hours) as a valuable adjunct.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Discuss safety and side effects<\/strong> with your veterinarian and report any adverse events promptly.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>References &amp; Further Reading (key sources)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/research-groups.usask.ca\/cpep\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Canadian Parasitology Expert Panel (CPEP)<\/a> \u2014 Heartworm guidelines and regional data. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Merck Veterinary Manual \u2014 Heartworm disease in dogs (overview, diagnosis, prevention). <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\"><em>&nbsp;<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Moonlight Natural Pet Store<\/a> is a holistic pet store in Vancouver, BC.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is heartworm in dogs and how to naturally prevent heartworm in your dogs.  We talk about the heartworm cycle and side effects of current heartworm medications on the market.  Read more to find the most effective prevention methods in dogs and cats.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1061,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[668,667,666],"class_list":["post-83","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-flea-prevention-dogs-cats","tag-cats-and-heartworm","tag-heartworm-in-canada","tag-heartworm-in-dogs"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/pet-health-pet-nutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/83","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/pet-health-pet-nutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/pet-health-pet-nutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/pet-health-pet-nutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/pet-health-pet-nutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=83"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/pet-health-pet-nutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/83\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/pet-health-pet-nutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1061"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/pet-health-pet-nutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=83"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/pet-health-pet-nutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=83"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/pet-health-pet-nutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=83"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}