Local Pet Hospital Explains the Importance of Yearly Heartworm Testing
As a dog parent, you likely know a thing or two about heartworm disease and how harmful it can be to your precious pooch. If you already give your furry family member medication to protect against the disease, you might wonder if yearly testing is necessary. The veterinarians at Florence Veterinary Hospital, a pet hospital in Boone County, KY, do recommend annual heartworm testing and provide a few reasons why below.
Why Your Dog Should Always Get Yearly Heartworm Tests
Forgotten Doses
No matter how responsible of a pet owner you are, there’s always a chance you may forget to give your dog a dose of medication once in a while. Even forgetting one dose can put your pooch at risk of getting infected with heartworms.
Picky Pill-Takers
Are you completely certain that your dog swallows every pill you give them? Sometimes dogs spit out pills when their owners aren’t looking or vomit shortly after ingesting them. If the medication isn’t absorbed into the body, it can’t protect your pooch against heartworms.
Resistant Heartworm Strains
Although uncommon, some heartworm strains are resistant to medications. For example, if your dog gets infected with a lot of adolescent heartworms from several mosquito bites, there’s a chance, however small, that the medication might not be able to destroy all of them.
Heartworm Testing Is Simple
Heartworm testing just requires a simple blood test, which can be done at your dog’s annual wellness checkup at a pet hospital. If heartworms are found, your dog can begin treatment as soon as possible.
If it has been over a year since your dog has been tested for heartworms, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. The team members at Florence Veterinary Hospital have been treating the animals in their community for more than 30 years and offer a wide range of veterinary services, including wellness exams, spaying and neutering, and medicated baths. The pet hospital takes pride in providing a clean and comfortable environment for all pets. For more information, call (859)-371-6501 or visit their website.
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