03/06/2025
It may have just snowed here in Central Ohio, but Spring is just around the corner and that means STOCK UP ON YOUR PETS PREVENTATIVES! Flea, tick, and heartworm medication are important to keep our pets healthy ALL YEAR AROUND, but ESPECIALLY as the warmers month approach. ☀️
There is typically a lot of questions around this time of year regarding our heartworm testing policies, so we figured this would be a great place to help spread awareness and educate our clients on the policies we are in compliance with. Please note our hospital follows all guuidelines recommended through the American Heartworm Society.
You can visit their website for more information at: https://www.heartwormsociety.org/pet-owner-resources
***If you have questions regarding your specific pet and their account with us, please call us at 614-897-0404 to speak to one of our Client Service Representatives.***
Guidelines for Heartworm Testing in DOGS from the American Heartworm Society:
All dogs should be tested annually for heartworm infection, and this can usually be done during a routine visit for preventive 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), but should be tested 6 months after your initial visit, tested again 6 months later and yearly after that to ensure they are heartworm-free.
🔘 Adult dogs over 7 months of age and previously not on a preventive need to be tested prior to starting heartworm prevention. They, too, need to be tested 6 months and 12 months later and annually after that.
🔘 IF YOU HAVE SKIPPED OR MISSED A DOSE(ES): You need to consult your veterinarian, and immediately re-start your dog on monthly preventive—then retest your dog 6 months later. The reason for re-testing is that heartworms must be approximately 7 months old before the infection can be diagnosed. For some patients who have missed a dose (or multiple), you may be required to update their heartworm test before a new prescription for preventatives can be approved by your pets Veterinarian.
🐾 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 out or vomit a heartworm pill—or rub off a topical medication. Heartworm preventives are highly effective, but not 100 percent effective. If you don’t get your dog test, you won’t know your dog needs treatment.
And finally, as we continue to see the ever-increasing spread of tick-borne disease, especially Lyme, it's more important than ever to keep your pets on regular preventatives to keep them safe and healthy.
🌷MARCH ONLY: We are running a special in clinic this month for anyone needing to stock up on their pets prevention! See the detailer below for more information and give us a call if you would like to place a refill for prevention to take advantage of the discounts and free doses!
Thank you for trusting us with your pets and working with us to help keep their health top-notch! 🐾🥰