When should my dog be tested?

All dogs should be tested annually for heartworm infection.  This can usually be done during a routine visit for preventative care.  Following are guidelines on testing and timing:

Puppies under < 7 months of age can be started on heartworm prevention without a heartworm test (it takes at least 6 months for a dog to test positive after it has been infected), and should be tested yearly after that to ensure they are heartworm-free.

Adult dogs over 7 months of age and previously not on preventative need to be tested prior to starting heartworm prevention.  They, too, need to be tested annually after that.

If there has been a lapse in prevention (one or more late or missed doses), dogs should be tested six months later and annually after that.

We highly recommend annual testing!

According to the American Heartworm Society and CAPC (Companion Animal Parasite Council), Heartworm disease is on the rise in Maryland.

Annual testing is necessary, even when dogs are on heartworm prevention year-round, to ensure that the prevention program is working.  Heartworm medications are highly effective, but dogs can still become infected.  If you miss just one dose of a monthly medication – or give it late – it can leave your dog unprotected.  Even if you give the medication as recommended, your dog may spit it out or vomit a heartworm pill – or rub off a topical medication.  Heartworm preventatives are highly effective, but not 100 percent effective.  If you don’t get your dog tested, you won’t know your dog needs treatment.  

Our heartworm test also tests for 3 tick borne diseases – Lyme disease, Ehrlichia, and Anaplasmosis.  Ticks in this area carry these 3 diseases.  Left untreated they can cause serious illness and even death.