Are heartworm tests necessary?
 

I'm supposed to bring Mojo in for a heartworm test in the morning and it occurred to me that I don't ever remember bringing in any of my other dogs to be tested for heartworm. My dogs do take Heartgard monthly. So, is it necessary or are my vets just trying to pad their wallets? I seem to be finding conflicting information on the internet.

Even on heart worm prevention dogs can still get heart worms and they should have a yearly test done.

In my perspective.. if the dog has never been on heartworm meds, YES. Mainly as a precaution, because missing the infection and then just having the dog on meds for a year, or during mosquito season, you will completely miss the infection and provide plenty of time for a major problem to develope(ie. ADULTS thriving, although most likely sterile). I live in northern WI and mosquitos are a severe pest. Its not taken lightly by me. Yearly test are still advisory around here, and its worth it.

If your other dogs have NEVER EVER been tested, it'd be a good idea to get them tested. Dont necessarily stop the monthly heartgard, but there can be adult worms surviving through the heartgard meds. Heartgard only prevents and cures an infection of larvae, NOT ADULTS. So, while you may be doing the right thing to prevent heartworm, the adult larvae can still thrive.

That being said, testing is done to see if there is any evidence of young heartworm, even deceased. Not sure EXACTLY on what they look for. But seeing traces of Larvae would mean that there is a current problem. Heartgard WILL prevent L3 and L4 larvae(early stages) but it will not terminate the ADULTS. Imagine... RATS. in an infested house... killing just the babies with traps and poison... but the Adults are smart and keep hidden in the walls and possibly producing offspring and definately growing larger and larger. same deal.

on a side note.. adult worms can become 12 inches long. YUCK. I cant imagine allowing that to happen to my dogs. no way. not ever.

You will be saving money compared to what you would have to pay to do a full clean sweep of an infected dog. Were also talking possible Liver/Kidney/Lung failure..and could wind up in death.

Sorry for my rant.. i just believe its SO WORTH IT

- Terrierman's Daily Dose -

I found this site to be particularly interesting. If you look at #3, it provides a link to the “Seasonal Timing of Heartworm Chemoprophylaxis in the United States” by Dr. David Knight and James Lok of the American Heartworm Society. The blog and, more importantly, the article from these individuals from the American Heartworm Society would seem to imply that annual testing isn't necessary.

I don't mind spending whatever is necessary to keep my pets healthy. And I have to say, this heartworm test will probably by far be the least expensive thing I've ever had done at the vet's office. I do think it worth doing more research on whether it's necessary to feed poison to my pets every month, though.

Id like to add to my post that i had stated that it will not cure an infection of adult larvae.. it MIGHT. From what i have learned is that the adult larvae might have a shorter lifespan and like i stated, will probably sterilize them. but its not 100%.

ive saved that link, and when i have more time i am definitely going to read it. i love more info on stuff i think i already know thoroughly. :)

I just want to add a note that heart worms is not something you want to play with. The treatment for heart worms is risky and expensive. If the heart worms don't kill your dog the treatment could. The smartest thing to do is give yearly prevention and do a yearly test. If you love your dog and dont want to risk there life it should be a no brainer to me.

I know! It never really occurred to me to question it before! They include a map of the U.S. which indicates what months to treat for heartworm by state. I just give them the medicine every month because that's what I was told to do. I don't know that I would change that, but I want to do more research.

After having one of our outside dogs that had heartworms, I think the screening is necessary. I think heartworm meds are essential. Heartworms are terrible. It is terrible to see your dog have to suffer through the treatment. We actually had got the dog from someone else who apparently never had him on meds. He did live a long time after we got him treated. But it was a very rough few months for him during the treatment time. My girls are rarely outside at all. However, I do have them on meds and I do get the tests done. IMHO, I think both are necessary. My vet didn't charge that much for the test. I don't know what they are trying to charge you but I don't think it was that expensive here.

I think the smartest thing to do is to do research and make an informed decision. I'm sure you didn't mean to imply I don't love my animals.

I have.

See, I haven't yet. It never even occurred to me to question anything about it. I find the article I provided the link to pretty interesting, though, and definitely worth some more thought. I don't like the idea of all the poisons and chemicals, but if they're necessary, they're necessary. I just don't think it hurts to question. Where I'm located, we don't really have any holistic vets or even a whole lot who would think outside the box, but then I'm in a small town in a more rural setting.

Mine are on HW Preventive year round, even though they are I still have them tested every year.

Standard of care is prevention year round and annual testing. Testing annually is done because no product is one hundred percent effective. It is given year round even in places that freeze because not all Bugs necessarily die off. Also, if the drug fails to kill larvae a month after infection, there are a couple more chances in consecutive months if it is given all year.

Because all dogs should get wellness profiles once a year at a minimum, the heart worm test can be done at the same time.

My vet recommends it every two years as long as the dog has never been off heartworm meds- mine go in for yearly exams- so I just prefer having it done at the same time every year. There is no risk, it is just a blood test. When I am deciding if something is necessary or not for my dogs I weigh the risks and the benefits- in this case with no risk and a huge benefit- I think it is an absolute must.