Grantline Veterinary Hospital has been honored to serve our community, providing compassionate care for your pets. It is with a heavy heart that we must announce that our practice must temporarily close, effective December 22nd. The nationwide labor shortage has hit the veterinary industry hard, and we are unable to keep our hospital open without a doctor on site.

While we are actively recruiting for a new veterinarian, we cannot provide medical treatment or authorize prescription refills without a provider onsite. However, our phone lines will remain open to help you. If you need medical care in our absence, we can assist in referring you to another hospital and transferring your pet’s medical records there.

While we cannot provide a timeline for reopening at this time, we want to thank you for the trust you have placed in Grantline Veterinary Hospital over the years, and we hope to see you again soon!

In honor of National Heartworm Awareness Month, our team is debunking common heartworm myths, to help pet owners get to the truth about this sometimes confusing topic.

 

Myth: Only dogs get heartworms

Truth: Heartworms can infect any mammal, including people. While dogs and wild canines are this parasite’s preferred hosts, heartworms can also infect your feline friend. 

 

Myth: Indoor pets don’t need heartworm prevention

Truth: Mosquitoes are sneaky little pests and can easily slip inside your home, infecting your pet with heartworms. Your indoor-only cat can be infected by a mosquito that flies in an open door or a tiny hole in a window screen. Year-round heartworm prevention is a must for every pet in your home.

 

Myth: Heartworm disease is not a serious concern

Truth: Heartworm disease can be fatal if left untreated, yet treatment is a months-long, difficult process for dogs, and there is no heartworm treatment for cats. If your dog contracts a heartworm infection, they will be required to remain exercise-restricted throughout the entire process. Complications can also occur during treatment, making this disease much more serious. 

 

Myth: Pets don’t need heartworm prevention in the winter

Truth: Mosquitoes are hardy creatures and can pop back up as soon as temperatures rise above freezing. Unpredictably warm temperatures in winter can offer mosquitoes the opportunity to infect your pet with heartworms, which makes year-round prevention essential. 

 

Myth: I’ll know if my pet has heartworm disease

Truth: Once your pet has been bitten by an infected mosquito, heartworm infection is not detectable in your pet for six months. During that time, the heartworm larvae reach adulthood as they migrate from the bite zone to the blood vessels and surround your pet’s heart and lungs. At this point only, you may notice heartworm signs, such as a mild cough or slight exercise intolerance, in your dog. Cats may show no signs, but can suddenly collapse or die without warning. Without annual testing and year-round prevention, your pet may be harboring a hidden heartworm infection. 

 

We can help make sure your pet is protected against heartworm disease all year long! Please contact us to schedule an appointment.