Ask Dr. Katie!  We can help you! Is your dog pushy, demanding, stubborn, begging?  Ask Dr. Katie!

We listened to you!  Our Clients have a busy life.  They suggested that we expand our services.  For your convenience we are now offering:

Your pet will be in the care of our professional staff, so now you can enjoy your vacation!

Market Street Animal Clinic is finally on Facebook! We will begin posting and providing all kinds of info on a regular basis. Become a fan of Market Street Animal Clinic and keep an eye out for our updates and news!

Veterinary Doctor in Dr. Katie

Market Street Animal Clinic now offers dog walking services to clients in the Leesburg, VA area. For more information visit us at http://www.marketstreetanimalclinic.com or call 703-777-6661.

Heartworm disease is a condition that is caused by a vector-borne parasite.  Just as the name implies, the adult worms live in the heart.  In the case of dogs in our area—and to a much lesser degree cats—the parasite is Dirofilaria immitis.  The vector is the mosquito.  In the past the disease was most common in coastal areas; however, our increasingly mobile pet population has spread the heartworm infection to every state in the Union.  Anywhere there is a dog or cat with heartworms there is the potential for the spread to uninfected animals.

 Heartworm disease is a potentially fatal, serious threat to dogs in our area.  Adult heartworms live in the right side of the heart and the surrounding large blood vessels of the lungs.  The female worms can grow to twelve inches in length—about the length of a piece of typing paper. The males are only slightly smaller.

In our region one of the most common mosquitoes spreading heartworm from dog to dog is the Asian tiger mosquito.  This introduced species was brought to the southeastern United States in 1987.  Since its introduction it has continued to spread northward almost to Canada and has reached the west coast.  This mosquito requires only a small amount of water to reproduce, such as a saucer under a flower pot.  It is perfectly at home indoors or outside.

Heartworm disease can be acquired in any of the twelve months.  Some species of mosquitoes overwinter as adults and become active any time the temperature rises into the fifties.  The spread of Dirofilaria immitis begins when a mosquito ingests a blood meal from an infected host. 

Blood from a host with heartworm infection contains immature heartworms called microfilariae.  A feeding mosquito ingests the immature heartworms with the blood.  Over a period of two weeks the microfilariae mature to become an infective larval stage.  The mosquito will transmit the infective larval form of heartworm to another host when it feeds again. 

Over a period of three to six months the larvae mature into adult heartworms which settle in the heart and major blood vessels in the lungs.  At this point the adult heartworms begin to reproduce and start the process all over again.

Symptoms of heartworm disease can occur as soon as six months after a dog has become infected.  The more adult parasites that are present the more severe the signs will be and the sooner they will become apparent.  Some common signs are coughing or tiring easily when exercised, heavy breathing, and weakness.  In advanced cases the heart and lungs can be severely damaged, resulting in heart failure.

Heartworm is easily prevented:

• All puppies in our area should be placed on heartworm prevention by 8 weeks of age.*
• Have your dog checked for heartworm every year with an antigen test.*
• Preventive medicine should be given to your dog year-round in our area.*

Following these three simple rules will prevent your dog from contracting heartworm disease and will avert the suffering caused by heartworm infection.

Talk to Dr. Katie today about heartworm prevention for your dog.  Your pet is important in your life and it is never too late to begin a prevention program.

*According to Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine

Market Street Animal Clinic will be participating in the “Paws For Your Heart” 5K Dog Walk on Sunday, June 13^th  from 8:00 am until 2:00 pm.   This event will be held at the Marion DuPont Scott Equine Medical Center in Leesburg, VA. 

This will be a great opportunity to get outdoors with family or friends and enjoy some exercise and fun while benefiting the Loudoun County Animal Shelter and the Douglass Community Center Children’s Programs.  There will be pets available for adoption, vendor and educational exhibits, activities for the children, contests, great food and music, and much more.   We hope to see you there!

Visit www.paws4yourheart.org for more information and for registration forms.

Thank you for visiting our website!  

Our staff is dedicated to providing the best possible care to your pets, and we value your input.    We invite you to use the “Contact Us” feature to make suggestions as to how we can better serve your needs.  

Check back  again for information concerning the well-being of your cat or dog.