New clients welcome! Limited time free first wellness exam (terms apply) - Book Today!

As pet owners, one of our greatest concerns is ensuring our furry friends are happy and healthy. Recognizing signs of pain in pets can sometimes be challenging, as they can't communicate in words like we do. However, animals do have ways of letting us know when something isn't right. Here's a guide from our team, at Copper Basin Veterinary Clinic, to help you understand if your pet might be in pain and what steps you can take to help them feel better.

Is My Pet in Pain? Recognizing the Signs and Taking Action

As our beloved pets age, their health needs evolve, making preventive health screenings more crucial than ever. Senior pets, generally those over seven, are more susceptible to various health issues, and catching these problems early can significantly improve their quality of life. Explore why preventive health screenings are essential and how they can benefit your aging furry friend.

Top 5 Preventive Screenings Every Senior Pet Needs

May is Lyme Disease Prevention Month, making it the perfect time to educate pet owners about this prevalent tick-borne illness. As the weather warms up, ticks become more active, increasing the risk of Lyme disease for pets and humans.

Lyme Disease in Pets: What Every Pet Owner Needs to Know

As the weather warms up and summer kicks in, it's the perfect time to check in on your cat's health and routine. Cats are sensitive to temperature changes and seasonal shifts, so June is ideal for refreshing your feline care practices from hydration and nutrition to grooming and parasite prevention.

Whether you're a new cat parent or a seasoned pro, this guide has everything you need to help your cat thrive all month.

June Cat Care Checklist: Summer Wellness for Your Furry Friend

South Cherokee Veterinary Hospital is offering a free 30-day pet insurance trial through Trupanion - no credit card, no strings attached! Just schedule a quick exam and activate your trial within 24 hours to get 90 percent coverage for unexpected illnesses and injuries.

Free Trial Of Trupanion Pet Insurance

South Cherokee Veterinary Hospital

about-us-page

embedded-reviews-section

our-history-section

our-teams-section

South Cherokee Veterinary Hospital is here for you when your puppy or kitten needs its first checkup.

why-us-section

app-download-page

download-app-section

blogs-page

blogs-section

book-appointment-page

book-appointment-section

career-page

South Cherokee Veterinary Hospital is a longstanding fixture in the Woodstock community, known for personalized medicine, strong client relationships, and a supportive team culture. Situated in Woodstock, GA, we invite you to advance your career and enjoy Southern charm and hospitality. Our team values communication, respect, and doing what's right for patients, clients, and each other. Explore our open roles or reach out to learn more.

amrv-career-about-section

amrv-career-section

amrv-contact-section

amrv-job-section

forms-page

form-section

landing-page

amrv-about-us-section

contact-us-section

cta-bar

footer-section

hero-section

otto-widget-section

our-services-section

testimonials-section

vetstoria-widget-section

news-page

our-history-page

payment-info-page

payment-information-section

payment-section-2

payment-section-3

services-page

service-page-section

team-page

teams-page-section

video-page

Heartworms are a kind of roundworm that dwell in the heart, lungs, and surrounding blood vessels of infected animals, leading to heartworm disease, a potentially deadly condition. Heartworm infection can permanently harm the heart, lungs, and other bodily organs, despite the fact that it is treatable.&nbsp;How heartworm is spreadWhen a mosquito bites a dog, it can transmit heartworm larvae to the dog. The larvae then go through the body of the dog until they come into contact with the lungs and heart’s blood arteries. The larvae remain in those blood arteries for around 6 months, during which time they develop into adult heartworms that can grow to be up to 12 inches long. As adult heartworms multiply and release young heartworms into the blood of a dog, the cycle is continued when the dog is bitten by a mosquito.&nbsp;Diagnosing heartwormThe higher your dog’s prospects of recovery, the earlier heartworm illness is identified. Also, it’s crucial to test your dog every year because there aren’t many if any, early indications of the condition. Heartworms can be detected by a quick blood test.If your dog does exhibit heartworm disease symptoms, they may include coughing, an aversion to physical activity, and poor physical condition.&nbsp;Preventing heartwormGiving your dog a heartworm preventative on the same day each month is crucial for protecting him against the disease. It is advisable to take into account a mosquito-repelling product as well, as this will aid in keeping your dog from getting bitten in the first place.We’ll check for heartworms during your dog’s yearly preventive care appointment to be sure the preventive has been successful. Your dog will be at increased risk of heartworm infection if:<ul><li>A dose of preventive medication was missed</li><li>A dose of preventive medication was given late</li><li>The preventive was spit out or vomited by the dog</li></ul>Heartworm infections can grow more severe the longer they go untreated. Long after they have been treated and are gone, heartworms can still have an impact on a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="link" href="https://southcherokee.net/pet-wellness-check-up-exams-woodstock-ga/">dog’s health and quality of life.</a>&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="link" href="https://southcherokee.net/woodstock-ga-veterinary-appointment/">Call us</a> if your dog needs a heartworm test or yearly preventive care appointment, if you need a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="link" href="https://southcherokeevethospital.securevetsource.com/index.pml">refill for their heartworm preventative</a>, or if your puppy is displaying symptoms that might indicate a heartworm infection.

Learn how heartworm disease is spread, diagnosed, and prevented - early detection and monthly prevention are key to protecting your dog's long-term health.



Heartworm Disease in Dogs - Everything You Need to Know

<noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-KKS25VG6"
height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript>

gtm_6868d04db8a3cce402148593

<script>(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':
new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],
j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src=
'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);
})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-KKS25VG6');</script>

Sign up for our newsletter to learn about new opportunities, team stories, and learning moments from South Cherokee.

Connect With Us

Reach out directly to our Talent Team! We are happy to guide you through roles, culture, and everything in between.

Have Questions

Preferred options for most of our clients.

We are pleased to offer access to several financing options.

We love educating our clients, thats why we have curated and shared posts filled with helpful information regarding pet care.

Enter your information to book your appointment today.

Consult Online

Online Store

Pet Portal

Billing

Client Forms

Download App

Since 1992, serving Woodstock with 30+ years of compassionate, high-quality veterinary care.

Get fast, accurate results with our in-house lab and diagnostic tools.

Diagnostics

Voted Neighborhood Favorite on Nextdoor in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022 & 2023 for trusted local care.

Keeping up with your pet's health from your mobile device has never been easier!

Michelle Isabel

Kelly Webster

Ryan Hickman

Thomyia Carpenter

Professional overnight pet care in our veterinary-supervised facility. Safe, comfortable boarding with 24/7 monitoring and medical support available.

Boarding

Get your pet's medications, food, and preventatives delivered straight to your door - fast and easy.


Pharmacy

Pharmacy Home Delivery

Keep your pet clean, healthy, and looking their best with gentle, professional grooming and baths.


Grooming & Bathing

Struggling with behavior issues? We help you understand and improve your pet's habits and routines.


Behavioral Counseling

We help manage your pet's pain with expert care, medication, and therapies tailored to their needs.

Pain Management

Not feeling like themselves? We're here to diagnose, treat, and help your pet feel better fast.

Illness/ Injury & Sick

A quick microchip gives your pet a permanent ID and increases their chance of being reunited if lost.


Microchipping

Travel certificates

When it's time to say goodbye, we offer gentle, compassionate end-of-life care and support. 

End-of-Life & Euthanasia

Treat and prevent internal parasites like roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms with trusted care.


Deworming

Deworming & Parasite Control

Safe, carefully monitored anesthesia keeps your pet comfortable during surgeries and procedures.

Anesthesia

From routine to advanced procedures, your pet is in skilled, compassionate hands every step of the way.


Pet Surgery

Spaying or neutering helps prevent health issues, unwanted litters, and certain behavior challenges.


Spay & Neuter

Protect your pet from fleas, ticks, heartworms, and more with year-round parasite prevention plans.


Parasite Prevention

When every second counts, our team is ready to treat injuries, illness, or sudden changes in behavior.

Urgent Care

We offer safe, responsible breeding guidance and reproductive care for both male and female pets.


Reproductive Services

We offer advanced surgical care using skilled techniques, modern equipment, and compassionate support.


Heartworm Disease in Dogs - Everything You Need to Know

Recent Blog

Related Blog

Navigating Life After a Lyme Disease Diagnosis for Your Canine Companion

Protect Your Furry Friends: Recognizing the Indicators of Heartworm Infection

Adopt with Confidence: Top Tips for New Pet Owners This December