HEARTWORM DISEASE CAN BE PREVENTED

HEARTWORM GROWTH RATE
It takes 6 to 9 months for heartworms to mature into 14-inch adult worms that reside inside your pet's heart.

HEARTWORM DISEASE IS IN MICHIGAN

In 2001, there were  7,040 reported cases of heartworm disease in Michigan.

20% of the reported cases were in the Detroit Tri-County area:  Wayne County = 908, Oakland County = 298, and Macomb County = 182.

Even though heartworms can be prevented, every year Maple Veterinary Hospital diagnoses positive canine patients through diagnostic testing procedures.

DIAGNOSTIC CANINE HEARTWORM TESTING

Dogs need to be tested annually for heartworms to know for certain that your beloved canine companion is heartworm disease free.

The heartworm test consists of a two part blood test that looks for microfilariae and adult heartworms. If both steps of the test are negative, heartworm preventative should be started and continued as advised by our veterinarians.

DIAGNOSTIC FELINE HEARTWORM TESTING
There is no reliable heartworm test for cats at this time. The tests currently available can have false negatives meaning that your cat can have heartworm disease even though the test result was negative.  Therefore, clients should administer monthly heartworm preventative as advised by our veterinarians.