Schedule a Heartworm Test for Your Dog
If you're fortunate, and you have a healthy pet, you may not have to see your veterinarian more than once or twice a year for shots and a checkup. For even the healthiest of pets, though, right now is the best time of year to schedule an appointment for a heartworm test. This is overlooked way too often.
Heartworms are parasites that infest a dog's or cat's heart and can be deadly. Heartworms are spread by mosquitoes, but you can protect your pets easily with monthly medication. The medication can be toxic if your pet already has heartworms, so it's of utmost importance to have your vet do a blood test before giving the meds. Many people keep their pets on heartworm medication year round and think a blood test isn't necessary. However, the test for heartworms can also show if your pet has Lyme disease and two other tick-borne diseases. So it's well worth giving to dogs and cats every year.
Source: This is a suggestion from the humane society which I kept in my Westie's folder to remind me things I needed to do every year to help keep Lucy healthy.
By Bobbie G from Rockwall, TX
Feedback About This Post:
RE: Schedule a Heartworm Test for Your Dog
Really important reminder! When we take our girl for her annual rabies shot and license tag renewal, our vet always recommends the yearly heartworm test. Along with the rabies shot, bortadella shot and a urine, fecal test and quick blood test, the once-a-year cost for all of this is about $100--a very small price to pay considering the hefty bill we'd have were there an underlying condition that went undetected.
Not to mention the suffering for the dog and the emotional anguish for the owner if you let things go.
Along with these, let's also not forget to make sure our furry kids also are on monthly flea & tick and heartworm preventative--so we can head these problems off at the pass before they become an issue.
Post by PupperMom
RE: Schedule A Heartworm Test For Your Dog
Thank You for that reminder! Heartworms are so awful!
Post by Robyn Fed
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