Heartworms can cause serious damage to your pet's heart and lungs before you notice any symptoms. Learn how these parasites spread, why pets in Texas are especially at risk, what heartworm disease looks like in dogs, cats, and ferrets, and how year-round prevention and routine testing can help protect your furry family members.

As pet parents, we all want the same thing: as many happy, healthy years with our animals as possible. Regular checkups, vaccines, and good nutrition go a long way — but preventative veterinary surgeries are often the most overlooked piece of long-term pet care. Dr. Gibson walks you through the most common preventative pet surgeries vets like her recommend: what to expect, when timing matters, and why early action makes all the difference.