Heartworm Testing

At Paws in Paradise Animal Hospital, we are dedicated to the health of your pet. Therefore, we strongly recommend that dogs, even those on regular heartworm protection, be tested for heartworms once a year. We will run this test as part of your pet’s regular wellness exam.

• Heartworms Are a Serious, Potentially Fatal Disease in Pets
• Heartworms Are Foot-Long Worms That Live in the Heart, Lungs, and Associated Blood Vessels
• Heartworms Affect Dogs More Commonly Than Cats
• Monthly Heartworm Treatment Is Very Effective at Preventing This Condition

Heartworm disease is very serious, but with early detection, your pet has a much greater chance of a full recovery. Regular testing is important because there are few, if any, signs of early heartworm infections. The test requires a small blood sample which allows us to detect the presence of any heartworm proteins, or antigens. An antigen test detects heartworm proteins which are released by adult female heartworms into a dog's bloodstream.

Your adult dog should be tested once per year for heartworms during their routine wellness visit. If you have a puppy under seven months, they can be started on heartworm prevention without a heartworm test, but they should then be tested six months after starting prevention and again six months later (followed by annual testing). Adult dogs (over seven months) who have not been on a heartworm preventive need to be tested before starting prevention. 

Dogs and cats become infected with heartworms when they are bitten by an infected mosquito. Dogs and cats can only get heartworms from infected mosquitoes. There is no spread from dog to dog, dog to cat, or dog to human. 

Yes, as a pet owner, you can prevent your pet from getting heartworms! Preventive medication is extremely effective. During your visit, after your pet has tested negative for heartworms, we will recommend the preventive treatment best for you.

For more information about heartworm testing and prevention or to make an appointment with your Inlet Beach 30A veterinarian, please call us today at (850) 909-0130.