No matter where you live, your pet is not safe from this deadly parasite

It's more important than ever to protect your pets from heartworm year-round, no matter where you live. The American Heartworm Society recently released its 2010 Heartworm Incidence Survey, which reports that pets have been diagnosed with heartworm in every state in the U.S. -- and almost every county and parish.

"There was a time when vets in areas where mosquitoes disappear for six or more months a year -- places such as New England, the mountains of the West, and the Northern tier states, for example -- recommended six-month, summer-only schedules of preventive [heartworm] meds," Sharon Peters writes in USA Today.

But now it's crucial to keep your pet protected year-round, no matter where you live, from this deadly parasite spread by mosquitos.

As Peters reports, the AHS recommends year-round heartworm prevention because:

• Mosquitoes can pop up at unexpected times of year -- especially since many regions are seeing warm weather earlier in the spring and later in the fall than before.
• Warmer micro-climates can keep mosquitoes alive -- even in cold areas.
• Many pet parents now vacation with their pets -- often to mosquito-friendly locales.

Why prevent heartworm?
Heartworm can infect a cat or dog with a single mosquito bite. Treatment for dogs takes a long time, requires the dog to strictly limit exercise and can cost $1,000 or more. There is no cure for heartworm in cats. (Learn more in the video below.)

Luckily, prevention is easy -- a monthly medication in the from of a tasty chewable treat for your cat or dog typically costs $100 or less per year. So be sure to ask your vet about putting your dog (and cat!) on a heartworm preventive year-round.