Heartworm Testing My vet sent me a notice that my Lola was due for her yearly heartworm test. She's two years old and they gave her one last year when I had her spayed. I give her Interceptor every month. Does anyone else have their dog tested for heartworm every year? Also is it necessary to be tested every year since I do give her the medicine every month? |
Yes, it really is necessary for them to be tested every year. The HW prevention can be deadly if it's given to an animal with heartworms so it's best to have them tested annually just to be safe. |
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I think you should still have the test done though. I think most vets require it, actually. |
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I shouldn't have responded to the op as quickly as I did. I should have said that if you're not certain, please talk to your vet. This is very important as the risk of heartworms varies depending on where you live - some areas may be fine with testing only every other year, I don't know. Here in Oklahoma, heartworms are a big problem and I believe in testing every year. |
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Either way, to the OP- get the test, lol. :) |
I just recently did a research project over Heartworms in my parasitology class. I would say that it's definitely important to get tested every year. Now, depending on your climate and severity of mosquitoes in the area, your veterinarian may be okay with not testing. That is up to them and you. As for me personally, I live in Oklahoma also where there are mosquitoes year round. Because of that, we are on HW preventative year round and get the test every year. Due to the severity of heartworm and the risks (and costs!) of treatment, I would test every year even if we weren't. It's a simple $20 blood test that guarantees the health of your dog. |
We just went thru heartworm treatment (3 sessions!) with our Sweet Sophie and it was not fun for any of us. Please get the test done. |
Should the test be done once a year, even though they are on Heartworm prevention medicine 12 months??? In other words, the Heartworm prevention medicine may not always work??? |
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Also, some owners may miss a dosage or two, thinking nothing of it (or not even notice), inadvertently making their dog vulnerable. I know this has been the case with me on several occasions. We are just lucky they dogs didn't contract it during the months I forgot. Lastly, a lot of dogs will throw up the medicine after swallowing it or simply pretend to take it. This is probably not as likely but still a definite possibility. The yearly recommendation comes from the fact that heartworm is a serious, dangerous and potentially fatal disease. Not to mention that treatment is extremely expensive and hard on the dog. A heartworm infection can cause serious damage to a dog's heart and can do so in a fairly short period of time. Why not do all that you can to prevent it? Especially when the test is easy, quick, and relatively inexpensive. |
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Hi, yes it's definately important to have the test done. I know at my vet's office this test also includes testing for Lyme's Disease and also something else. I'm not sure if this is standard now or not but I am so thankful for having the test done because my Trixie tested positive for Lyme's Disease. You get Lyme from a tick bite. I live in Maryland and ticks are so bad here. This disease can really effect our babies if not treated. I have no idea if Lyme is an issue where you live but if it is then this heartworm test should cover it all. Hey, better safe than sorry. :) |
Our vet requires the test be done before renewing the heartworm medication prescription each year. And given that we have mosquitos year round, we are very diligent about it. My husband's uncle's dog had to go through the treatments last year because she got heartworms. Not a fun situation. |
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