Are heartworm tests necessary? - Page 2 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

carmen in nj · 04-07-2012, 05:34 AM

we do every year , I rather be safe than sorry..
hugs,

Ellie May · 04-07-2012, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ellie May

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.

ETA
Companies are much more likely to pay for treatment if the product is ineffective if it was given year round with annual testing.

hnybun128 · 04-07-2012, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ellie May

ETA
Companies are much more likely to pay for treatment if the product is ineffective if it was given year round with annual testing.

Good point- the vet said Heartgard only guarantees their medicine if it is given year round.

Joyce Adams · 04-07-2012, 06:21 AM

I give Interceptor year round to my dogs and have them tested every year too. I think it is better safe than sorry. This year the mosquitoes are to be especially a nuisance since we had a mild winter.

MY OSCAR · 04-07-2012, 06:40 AM

my dogs get heartguard plus & k9 advantix ii year round.
i used to only have them tested every two years but now i have
them done every year. They get the snap 3dx test which checks for heartworm , lyme and two other tick diseases.
i thought it over and i do not want to take a chance with my
babies lives.....

Britster · 04-07-2012, 09:22 AM

Watch this video (Warning: Graphic - heartworm removal suregery!)

And I think you'll want to do the test every year just IN CASE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=VOLzFsNOJ-4

Schooby · 04-07-2012, 09:27 AM

My boys get heartworm prevention year round, and we also do the yearly heartworm test. Why chance it?

LuvTaycieGirl · 04-08-2012, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Britster

Watch this video (Warning: Graphic - heartworm removal suregery!)

And I think you'll want to do the test every year just IN CASE

Davey's Gift from Dr. Garner - YouTube

Oh my heck I was just about to link your thread.. That video is crazy.. I can't stop thinking about it.. YUCK...

On the side note.. I use Interceptor and I test and will be keeping her on it

bamawife · 04-08-2012, 09:35 PM

Our vet recommends the yearly test. Although she knows our pets are on Heartgard Plus year round...better safe than sorry...Luckily, the blood test is inexpensive at our vet clinic...a whopping $4!!!

LuvTaycieGirl · 04-08-2012, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bamawife

Our vet recommends the yearly test. Although she knows our pets are on Heartgard Plus year round...better safe than sorry...Luckily, the blood test is inexpensive at our vet clinic...a whopping $4!!!

WOW! That is not bad at all!

yorkietalkjilly · 04-08-2012, 09:42 PM

None of the vets in our area will give a heartworm prescription without the test as they say the medication is dangerous if the dog actually has the worms.

yorkietalkjilly · 04-08-2012, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuvTaycieGirl

Oh my heck I was just about to link your thread.. That video is crazy.. I can't stop thinking about it.. YUCK...

On the side note.. I use Interceptor and I test and will be keeping her on it

I'm almost out of Interceptor and am going to have to change due to its non-production. Jilly and now Tibbe both used it successfully.

concretegurl · 04-08-2012, 11:13 PM

Yes.

Yes they are.

They are needed prior to a vet prescribing heart worm preventative.

A preventative is NOT 100% guaranteed, thus testing is required yearly by some and suggest annually by most, if the preventative fails-you need to seek treatment, also the preventative's manufacturer may cover the cost of treatment for you.

The test here is $10-it's still worth every penny to me.

qtyorkies · 04-09-2012, 02:25 AM

The test costs around $30 give or take in my area.

jeane · 04-09-2012, 04:18 AM

my vet tests every 2 years since I live in montana i only treat for 6 months

04-07-2012, 05:34 AM	#16
carmen in nj Donating YT 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Hopatcong, NJ, USA Posts: 4,615 Blog Entries: 74	we do every year , I rather be safe than sorry.. hugs, __________________ My Etsy shop is OPEN... Carmen in nj

04-07-2012, 06:21 AM	#19
Joyce Adams Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Kentucky Posts: 2,995	I give Interceptor year round to my dogs and have them tested every year too. I think it is better safe than sorry. This year the mosquitoes are to be especially a nuisance since we had a mild winter. __________________ Have a great day... Mommy to Yoshi and Miss Priss

04-07-2012, 09:22 AM	#21
Britster Action Jackson ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 17,814	Watch this video (Warning: Graphic - heartworm removal suregery!) And I think you'll want to do the test every year just IN CASE http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=VOLzFsNOJ-4 __________________ ~ Brit & Lights! Camera! Jackson! CGC ETD TKP ~ Follow Jackson on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jacksontheterrier Last edited by Britster; 04-07-2012 at 09:23 AM.

04-08-2012, 09:35 PM	#24
bamawife YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 592	Our vet recommends the yearly test. Although she knows our pets are on Heartgard Plus year round...better safe than sorry...Luckily, the blood test is inexpensive at our vet clinic...a whopping $4!!! __________________ Meg, Mom to Raley megraley.scentsy.us

04-08-2012, 09:42 PM	#26
yorkietalkjilly ♥ Love My Tibbe! ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: D/FW, Texas Posts: 22,140	None of the vets in our area will give a heartworm prescription without the test as they say the medication is dangerous if the dog actually has the worms. __________________ Jeanie and Tibbe One must do the best one can. You may get some marks for a very imperfect answer: you will certainly get none for leaving the question alone. C. S. Lewis

04-07-2012, 06:40 AM	#20
MY OSCAR YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: USA Posts: 4,514	my dogs get heartguard plus & k9 advantix ii year round. i used to only have them tested every two years but now i have them done every year. They get the snap 3dx test which checks for heartworm , lyme and two other tick diseases. i thought it over and i do not want to take a chance with my babies lives.....

04-07-2012, 09:27 AM	#22
Schooby YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 897	My boys get heartworm prevention year round, and we also do the yearly heartworm test. Why chance it?

04-08-2012, 11:13 PM	#28
concretegurl Between♥Suspensions Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Vaissades Posts: 7,979	Yes. Yes they are. They are needed prior to a vet prescribing heart worm preventative. A preventative is NOT 100% guaranteed, thus testing is required yearly by some and suggest annually by most, if the preventative fails-you need to seek treatment, also the preventative's manufacturer may cover the cost of treatment for you. The test here is $10-it's still worth every penny to me. __________________ Shan & 8 kids now!

04-09-2012, 02:25 AM	#29
qtyorkies Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Reno NV Posts: 95	The test costs around $30 give or take in my area. Last edited by qtyorkies; 04-09-2012 at 02:26 AM.

04-09-2012, 04:18 AM	#30
jeane Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: montana Posts: 2,945	my vet tests every 2 years since I live in montana i only treat for 6 months