Heartworm is a scary disease, but if you are giving your pup a monthly pill to keep her safe from getting the disease from mosquitoes you are following the correct steps. Even if you think your pooch cannot catch heartworm, you never can be too sure. Error on the side of caution and follow these tips:

Madonna, a three-year-old pit bull mix with a sweet disposition, arrived at the ASPCA last May, part of a group of eight dogs rescued by the New York City Police Department (NYPD). Only Madonna tested positive for heartworm.

Heartworm is a serious disease: The spaghetti-like worms, which can grow up to a foot in length, live in the hearts, lungs and associated blood vessels of infected animals. If not treated, heartworm can be fatal.

Dogs can live for years without symptoms after infection, but the heartworms’ long-term effects in an untreated dog may cause lasting damage to the heart, lungs, and arteries.

Fortunately, the ASPCA caught Madonna’s case early. She was successfully treated for her infection and subsequently tested for both adult heartworms and microfilaria. Today she is in a happy home and takes a monthly preventive medication.

“The best way to avoid heartworm disease is to give your dog heartworm preventive, a once-a-month oral or topical prescription medication,” says Dr. Louise Murray, Vice President of the ASPCA Animal Hospital in New York City.

I'm so glad that Madonna is now healthy! Not every dog is fortunate, but if the symptoms are caught earlier enough treatment is successful. If your pooch happens to contract heartworm, don't lose hope. It may be challenging to treat her, but she can recover. Continue to research about heartworm and keep your pooch healthy and safe from this scary disease by visiting ASPCA.