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.
When should puppy get heartworm test?
Dogs that are 7 months of age and older should be tested for heartworms before starting heartworm prevention. A dog may appear healthy on the outside, but on the inside, heartworms may be living and thriving.
Should puppies be tested for heartworm?
All dogs should be tested annually, even those on heartworm prevention medication year round. Puppies under seven months old may be started on heartworm prevention even though it can take six months or more for blood work to test positive. After that, they should be tested in six months and again, six months later.
Can a 3 month old puppy get heartworms?
Can puppies get heartworms? Yes. If a mosquito with infective larvae bites a puppy, he or she will likely develop heartworms. Once infected, it takes about six months for heartworm larvae to become an adult heartworm.
Does my dog need a heartworm test before Heartgard?
It is recommended by most veterinarians and by the manufacturers of the Heartworm medications that each dog have a test prior to receiving the medications each year, to ensure that the pet is free from Heartworm disease.
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