Northwest Minnesota Aussie Rescue is sponsoring a heartworm prevention clinic March 11, 2026 in Woodbury MN. It is open to all dogs and all owners. This will be by appointment only and prepayment is required. We will start at noon and will take 3 dogs every 15 minutes.

You can sign up HERE.

Heartworm, as the name implies, are worms that reside in your dogs heart. Each of these worms can reach 12 inches long and multiply, damaging the heart and lungs. It’s spread from one infected dog to another by mosquitoes. Fox, coyotes, and wolves also carry heartworm. Most flea and tick medications are not a preventative.

Heartworm is no longer a “southern” dog disease. It’s becoming more common in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and the Dakotas.

While heartworm is curable if found early, the cure for heartworm is an arsenic-based drug. In essence, you poison the dog enough to kill the heartworms but not enough to kill the dog.

An annual blood test will detect the presence of heartworm. If not present, a monthly preventative is prescribed to keep your dog safe during the mosquito season.

More information at the AKC Heartworm Page.