Heartworm Test For Dogs How Often

There are four classes or stages of heartworm disease.

Heartworm test for dogs how often. Ultrasound can detect heartworms if the infection is severe but it is not a good test for screening dogs for occult heartworms. We asked sheldon rubin 2007 2010 president of the american heartworm society to separate facts from the myths about heartworm infestations in dogs. How often should pet be tested for heartworms. Both the american veterinary heartworm society and most veterinarians do recommend yearly heartworm testing.

If your dog tests positive treatment can begin. The american heartworm. Heartworm testing is recommended every six months in heartworm endemic areas such as the gulf coast due to the high incidence of heartworms in these areas. Even though many animal guardians keep their pets on year round heartworm medication it is still important to test pets yearly for several reasons.

Annual testing of dogs that are on heartworm preventative is not necessary however. Only by the bite of an infected mosquito. Heartworms in dogs are easy to prevent but difficult and costly to cure. Your veterinarian can easily conduct this simple blood test during a dog s annual or semiannual wellness visit assures dr.

How do dogs get heartworms. We hopefully all know how important heartworm preventative is and i often get questions about my recommendation for yearly testing for heartworms. Testing that often is not harmful to the dog only to your wallet so unless you feel the need to test you should just keep your dog on the preventative. But people wonder why they need to test every year and it seems like there are those on the internet that want to make veterinarians into the villains making ridiculous and unnecessary suggestions.

The good news for owners is that heartworm testing is simple and inexpensive.