HELOISE Save your pet's life with heartworm prevention

Dear Readers: This is the time of year when mosquitoes are out in full force in most parts of the country. Infected mosquitoes that bite your pet are the cause of heartworm. It is not only dogs, but cats can get heartworms, too.
The American Heartworm Society has some information that is vital to pet owners throughout the country. It was thought that heartworm disease could only be found in Southern states with high humidity and lots of mosquitoes. Wrong! It is found in all states. It only takes one infected mosquito to cause heartworms in your family pet. Heartworm disease is potentially fatal. It can grow from the larvae stage to actual worms in just several months. The worms live in the heart, lungs and blood vessels. Mature males grow up to 6 inches, while the female can grow to 12 inches within about a year after the pet has been infected. Heartworms can live up to seven years in dogs.
The signs of a heartworm-infected animal are coughing, labored breathing and sluggishness. All of this can be prevented easily by giving both dogs and cats preventative medication. There are several ways to give it to them. Call your veterinarian and make an appointment to have your pet tested -- it could save its life. Heloise
Dear Readers: Lee and Judy McCarty of Bulverde, Texas, own a precious little Yorkie named George. The photo they sent shows him sitting on the handle of a personal watercraft. He's all wet after swimming and is ready to ride. Looks like he is saying, "Please let me ride one time by myself." Visit my Web site, www.Heloise.com, and click on This Week's Pet to see George. Send your favorite, unusual pet photo to: Heloise/Pet Photo, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279. Heloise
Dear Readers: Bluebirds are popular in most states, and attracting them to your back yard is pretty easy if you situate a birdhouse in the right location -- a quiet area away from traffic is perfect.
They like nesting boxes at a height of about 5 feet, with an opening hole about an inch and a half wide to keep out predator birds, such as starlings. The boxes can be mounted on a wooden pole using a predator guard directly underneath the box, or mount it on a metal pole to keep away predator animals such as chipmunks, snakes, cats and raccoons. Heloise.
Dear Heloise: I have two beautiful guinea pigs, Sally and Toots. They love to exercise, so I made them a wonderful outdoor "run."
At a home-improvement store, I bought some "hardware cloth" (small-hole wire meshing), enough to make a 5-foot circle, 2 feet high. All I did was open it and clip the two ends together, add their water and a dish of food and place it on the grass. They love it! Rick S., via e-mail
I bet they love you for their outdoor run. Make sure that the area in which you place their run is chemical-free. They love to eat grass, so be sure it is clean and fresh. Heloise
XSend a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, or you can fax it to (210) HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can't answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.
King Features Syndicate