There are multiple diseases that dogs can contract if you're not careful, such as parasites or Heartworm disease. Even if you take good care of your pooch, it's still important to take care of them by providing them with preventative care.

When a three-year-old pit bull mix arrived at ASPCA, she tested positive for heartworm. Thankfully because ASPCA caught it early, she was treated and now is a happy, healthy pup. However, if they would not have caught it, Madonna could have died.

Heartworm is a slow moving disease, but the symptoms you should look out for are lethargy before and after exercise, a lack of appetite, and persistent coughing. There's still more you can learn about heartworm as well, such as what the treatment entails.

Head to the next page to find out more about the shocking truth about heartworm and what you can do to protect your dog.

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