Heartworm disease is usually diagnosed with a simple blood test. There are two main tests for detecting heartworm infection; one test detects adult worms and the other detects microfilariae.
How do you test a dog for heartworms?
Dogs should be tested once a year for heartworm disease. The heartworm antigen test is the preferred method. In order to perform the test, a small amount of blood is drawn from the dog's forearm or neck vein. This test detects the presence of the adult heartworm in the pulmonary arteries and / or the dog's heart.
What are the first signs of heartworms in dogs?
Early-stage symptoms of heartworm diseasePersistent cough. Unlike a regular cough or a kennel cough, which is strong and sporadic, a heartworm- related cough is dry and persistent. ... Lethargy. ... Weight loss. ... Difficulty breathing. ... Bulging ribs.5 Signs Your Dog May Have Heartworms - PetPro Connect
How accurate is a heartworm blood test?
Depending on prevalence, the positive predictive value of the heartworm antigen test ranged from 15 to 54% and negative predictive value from 99 to 99.9%. For a hospital testing 1,000 dogs per year, false-positive test results may vary from 24 to 27 dogs.
Can I test my dog for heartworms at home?
Using the WITNESS Heartworm Rapid Test is easy. Just follow 3 simple steps. Add 1 drop of anticoagulated whole blood, serum or plasma to the sample well. Add 2 drops of chase buffer provided to the sample well.
More useful articles on a similar topic 👇
How long does it take heartworm to show up?How does a dog act with heartworms?
