Do Dogs in Las Vegas Need Heartworm Prevention?
If you’re living in Las Vegas with a dog, heartworm prevention might not be the first thing on your mind. After all, this is the Mojave Desert — not exactly the muggy, mosquito-heavy environment you’d associate with heartworm risk. But the truth is, Southern Nevada absolutely has mosquitoes, and that means your dog is vulnerable. The city is packed with golf courses, lush landscaping, irrigated parks, and backyard water features — perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes. All it takes is a single bite from an infected mosquito to transmit heartworms, and that risk doesn’t disappear just because we’re not in the Deep South. That’s why most veterinarians in Las Vegas recommend year-round heartworm prevention, no matter the season.
Why You Shouldn’t Skip Doses in the Winter
Heartworm disease isn’t something you want to gamble with. Once your dog is infected, those worms take up residence in the heart, lungs, and surrounding blood vessels. The disease is not only dangerous, it’s also expensive and painful to treat — often requiring months of injections, crate rest, and follow-up care. And the worst part? Symptoms can take months to appear, which means the damage is already underway by the time you realize something’s wrong. That’s why year-round prevention is the standard. Even during the cooler months, when mosquito activity seems low, missing a dose creates gaps in your dog’s protection. And because many heartworm medications work retroactively — killing larvae from the previous month — any lapse means those larvae can mature and start causing real harm before you even know they’re there.
What Local Vets Recommend
Across the Las Vegas Valley, veterinarians strongly advise monthly heartworm preventatives for dogs year-round. There are a few different options to choose from, including chewable tablets, topical treatments, and long-lasting injections that cover either six or twelve months. Some of these products also include protection against fleas, ticks, and intestinal parasites, so they can be a good all-in-one solution. Your vet will help you choose the right product based on your dog’s size, age, health status, and how much time they spend outdoors. And don’t forget about annual testing — even if your dog is on regular preventatives, most vets still require a yearly heartworm test to ensure everything’s working as it should. Early detection is key, and testing is quick and easy during your dog’s regular checkup.
