August 9, 2011 – Heartworm is a serious condition, each year affecting millions of beloved dogs and cats. The heartworms, transmitted to animals via mosquitoes, travel through the blood stream, and settle in the lungs and heart where they can cause significant damage.
Heartworm infestation can happen to any dog or cat, but since mosquitoes are carriers, dogs who live in hot, humid regions—conditions in which mosquitoes thrive—are at the greatest risk. However, heartworm disease has been diagnosed in all 50 states and in every month of the year.
To help raise awareness of this potentially fatal condition, professional football player, LaDainian Tomlinson, and his furry friend Kuddles, are starring in a new public service announcement.
Kuddles looks like a happy, healthy dog today, but when she was diagnosed with heartworm disease, she had 12-inch worms living in her heart—without treatment she could have died. After treatment, Kuddles was confined to a small kennel for more than two months—because even normal activity and exercise could have resulted in a fatal clot in her heart or lungs.
Tomlinson and Kuddles are appearing in 30 and 60 second PSAs to let audiences know about the threat of heartworm disease, so their pets don’t have to experience a terrible ordeal like Kuddles’.
For more information, visit www.heartwormsociety.org.
