Heartworm Test

In Alberta and Saskatchewan, we don’t worry about the threat of heartworm, but there are areas of Canada and other countries that heartworm is a concern. Mature heartworm can cause damage to the heart and lungs. They are passed by mosquitos through infected bites and can occur in dogs and cats. We recommend speaking with your veterinarian if you plan to travel with your pet. We carry heartworm preventative medications to keep your dog safe from being infected while you are away from home.

If a dog has heartworms, what symptoms should I look for?

Some signs may include; laboured breathing, coughing, reluctant to exercise.

How does a dog get heartworms?

Heartworm disease happens when an infected mosquito bites your pet and enters the dog’s bloodstream.

What are the treatment options for heartworms?

Once diagnosed, treating heartworm infection is a very lengthy process. Course of treatment will be determined by your veterinarian.

Why is recovery for heartworm treatment so challenging?

The severity of heartworm in dogs is directly dependent upon three main factors:

1. The number of worms present in a dog’s body.
2. The duration of the infestation.
3. The response of the infected dog fighting off the infection.

As the disease progresses, the treatment method becomes increasingly more invasive.