Dog owners, Does your vet require a yearly heartworm test?

[Cindy S.]

I ask this because my old vet didn't require a yearly heartworm test, just proof you had bought
12 months of heartworm preventative.
The vet I currently go to says the preventative maker won't guarantee their product unless I
spend $46.00 annually for a heartworm test and they don't want to sell me more preventative if I don't have the
test. Seems the price of the test goes up every year, too.
So, I called the maker of the heartworm pills, no they don't require the test annually to guarantee
their product.
What are your experiences?
I feel like I am being nickle and dimed to death at this vet and if I want to sign a waiver to opt out
of the test they make me feel like I am an idiot.

[IamPJ]

My vet. does not require a yearly heartworm test as long as my dog is on the preventative. My dogs have always been on the preventative since they were old enough to be put on it so I don't have them tested yearly.

[Cindy S.]

My vet. does not require a yearly heartworm test as long as my dog is on the preventative. My dogs have always been on the preventative since they were old enough to be put on it so I don't have them tested yearly.

Thanks for your reply.

I want to do right by my dog but have to watch my finances, too.

My vet is a large practice with a holier than thou attitude that we are too stupid to take care of
our pets.

On one hand, they give good care, on the other hand, they talk down to ya.

[Biblecat2]

I've never heard of a required test. I've questioned the idea of putting this extra chemical on my dog. This year I stopped using it. I looked at a heart worm map, and Oregon is in the lower risk area. http://www.knowheartworms.org/incidencemap.asp I'm think the companies that make the medication is pushing it, but it's not always necessary. JMHO

[AmazingGrace]

The vet I currently go to says the preventative maker won't guarantee their product unless I
spend $46.00 annually for a heartworm test and they don't want to sell me more preventative if I don't have the
test.

So, I called the maker of the heartworm pills, no they don't require the test annually to guarantee
their product.

. . .they make me feel like I am an idiot

So the vet lied about the necessity of a test which is not required by the manufacturer, but you feel like an idiot?

Tell, don't ask, your vet to fax the script over to petmeds.com (or other online pet pharmacy) so you can buy it from them. Either the vet will change its stance about forcing unnecessary tests (which only serves to increase their profit margin) to sell you the Rx or you can buy it elsewhere and at a cheaper price, too.


IMO, I would think twice about handing over my money to any business or medical practice that lies to its clients or has a 'holier than thou' attitude...

[Cindy S.]

I've never heard of a required test. I've questioned the idea of putting this extra chemical on my dog. This year I stopped using it. I looked at a heart worm map, and Oregon is in the lower risk area. http://www.knowheartworms.org/incidencemap.asp I'm think the companies that make the medication is pushing it, but it's not always necessary. JMHO

I don't like giving my dog chemicals either but remember when my grandma's beagle used to be
outside chained to her doghouse, coughing, coughing from the heartworms. Broke my heart.

I don't like the flea/tick stuff either, it smells like heavy pesticide but our dog sleeps with us and hubby gets flea bites so I buy it. I got it on my finger one time and maybe I was overreacting but my finger
felt numb and creeped me out.

[Cindy S.]

So the vet lied about the necessity of a test which is not required by the manufacturer, but you feel like an idiot?

Tell, don't ask, your vet to fax the script over to petmeds.com (or other online pet pharmacy) so you can buy it from them. Either the vet will change its stance about forcing unnecessary tests (which only serves to increase their profit margin) to sell you the Rx or you can buy it elsewhere and at a cheaper price, too.


IMO, I would think twice about handing over my money to any business or medical practice that lies to its clients or has a 'holier than thou' attitude...

Want to come with me and face them on Monday?

I just checked petmeds.com and they carry that brand.......hmmmm.....

[IMSAVED]

Is their another vet in your area? I would suggest changing vets.

[Lynn]

Is their another vet in your area? I would suggest changing vets.

I agree. Intimidation is never good policy if you intend to keep people coming to a business. There surely must be another vet somewhere not far from you. If you do decide to change vets, you could call the other office first before the initial appointment, and inquire about 'their' policy for the annual heart worm check/test.

[Mommytoa3rdgradeboy]

I think the only thing that is REQUIRED yearly is a rabies shot. IDK though, I always get a post card reminder of when my pets are due for something.

[Acts5:41]

So the vet lied about the necessity of a test which is not required by the manufacturer, but you feel like an idiot?

Tell, don't ask, your vet to fax the script over to petmeds.com (or other online pet pharmacy) so you can buy it from them. Either the vet will change its stance about forcing unnecessary tests (which only serves to increase their profit margin) to sell you the Rx or you can buy it elsewhere and at a cheaper price, too.


IMO, I would think twice about handing over my money to any business or medical practice that lies to its clients or has a 'holier than thou' attitude...

That.

My vet doesn't lie. In fact, she shares photos of my cat on her vet page. He's a handsome boy.

[Biblecat2]

I don't like the flea/tick stuff either, it smells like heavy pesticide but our dog sleeps with us and hubby gets flea bites so I buy it. I got it on my finger one time and maybe I was overreacting but my finger
felt numb and creeped me out.

I'm still using the flea and tick medicine, but not the heart worm (our dog sleeps with us too) I feel the vet pushed it on us for the profit. I used the heart worm for three years though. I haven't heard any reports of heart worm in my area. I would be more inclined to keep using it if I lived in the South.

[IMSAVED]

I'm still using the flea and tick medicine, but not the heart worm (our dog sleeps with us too) I feel the vet pushed it on us for the profit. I used the heart worm for three years though. I haven't heard any reports of heart worm in my area. I would be more inclined to keep using it if I lived in the South.

When I had my sweetie Kandy before she died my vet did not push the heart worm medication.She said it would depend on where you live .

[Crossbeam]

Ours does only if you miss giving the meds. Otherwise no he doesn't require one yearly. That's obsurd.

[IamHis]

My vet always asks me if I want the heartworm test. She said that
depending if they have heartworms already or do not have them,
that is what determines if the dog should be on the medication.
I can't afford the test or the medication. I love my dog dearly,
but it is all I can do to keep up the the normal rabies, distemper
and lyme disease vaccinations. And the occasional anti-mite
treatment. I get the lyme because we have ticks in our area.
The rabies is obviously needed. The skeeters are almost non-existent
where I live, so I hope and pray Riley never has a problem with
heartworms. He is mostly inside with me, except for our walks
and his outside bathroom trips. Plus he's almost 14 and I don't
want to stress his system out with chemicals on a constant basis.
Vet visits are very expensive!

[cheymat]

My vet requires the heartworm test before starting the meds, but if you have kept up with the meds its not required during the yearly visit. it sounds like my vet charges way less than most vets because the heartworm test is only $21 at my vet.

[Cindy S.]

My vet requires the heartworm test before starting the meds, but if you have kept up with the meds its not required during the yearly visit. it sounds like my vet charges way less than most vets because the heartworm test is only $21 at my vet.

My vet justifies charging $46.25 for a heartworm test because they say it also tests for Lyme Disease and Erlychia. If the pet isn't showing signs of illness I see no reason for the extra tests.

I went to the vet yesterday, signed the waiver and they didn't lecture me. They gave me the heartworm medication I asked for. I was soooooo close to finding another vet.

You may want to ask your vet if they have an opt out waiver you can sign. Mine did, but I keep my dog
on the heartworm med. year round because it kills other worms and I am always kissing my dog.

[Walker]

The rescue we got the dog from tested her for heartworm, she was negative and has been on preventative ever since and not been retested in 6 yrs.

We did re-test for Lyme when she was having arthritis symptoms and found she came up positive, we have no idea how that one happened as she has always been on flea and tick meds. She did a month of anti-biotics and her symptoms abated.

FWIW, we have taken and fostered heartworm positive dogs from southern shelters in my rescue. Most do well, but we have seen some die because of severe infection. The treatment can kill them, it takes a good 6 months to cure them and it is not cheap, testing and preventative is much cheaper and less stressful.

[Acts5:41]

I always hate the heart, full of worms, they have in the jar at the vet. UGH.