Heartworm testing

[emsen]

So on Wednesday it is time for Maja's first heartworm test (she has now been here for more than a year). And I have no CLUE what it will end up costing me. I am also giving her the normal yearly vaccins at the same time. Does anyone care to tell me what the total cost will be (it obviously various from place to place but it could still give me an idea).

Thanks! :)

[Hobbes1]

I just adopted a rescue Husky who was diagnosed with heartworm. If your pup is found positive, I believe the ballpark cost overall is between $800 -$1500 for medication and treatment depending on which treatment they give the dog. Now, the treatment Misha is on is a 3-month deal. It was an initial injection and a month of rest, followed by two more injections back to back, another month of rest, and then a follow-up exam and oral medication for several weeks.

We just had the second and third injections. Here's a cost breakdown.

Optimum Wellness Plan: $35/month (this plan gives a discount on all procedures and medications, as well as free x-rays, doctor check-ups, and follow-up vaccinations. Its a one year plan so you're looking at $420 total.)
First Visit: $150
Second Visit: $200
Third Visit: $110
Fourth / Final Visit + Oral Medication: Unknown.

That includes all pain-killers and any other tests that needed to be run during the treatment period.

Seriously, the hardest part is the isolation. Misha has to be isolated and crated almost 24/7. Too much activity and strain on the heart can cause severe side effects and even death.

Hope that helps.

[Hobbes1]

As for the test itself, I don't think it's that expensive, maybe only like $35 or something. Can't remember.

[tiffers]

We generally do two tests. One for Microfilaria (babies), and one for adults. If the babies is positive, we don't do the adults, and if the babies is negative, we don't charge for it. However, that's only on a paitient that is not on prevention. PREVENTION IS MUCH MUCH MUCH CHEAPER THAN TREATING THE DISEASE. Generally, the test is done in house and results are given within 10 minutes. Our test is $26 I think.

[Jcookie1982]

We charge $40 at my hospital for a heartworm/lyme/erlichia/anaplasmosis test

[suebgone]

I just pd $27.25 for HW/lyme in Central FL.

[emsen]

Thank you for your answers. :)

I have given Maja heartguard since we moved to the states, but the vet says that they test dogs once a year anyway. (?) Is there anything else I can do in order to prevent her from getting this gross parasite?

I thought it was going to cost a lot more than 26-40 dollars so that is good (although I have heard in many episodes of "animal cops" that it is so easy and does not cost much to keep them from getting heartworm... ;) )

[lindsayanng]

just out of curiosity, as a new dog owwner.. how often do you give the heart guard?

[emsen]

I give it once a month. I have heard of people not giving heartguard at all during the winter months, but I have been recommended to give once a month all year around, so I feel more safe doing so.

[lindsayanng]

hgmm.. well, since the puppy is at the vet now, it would probably be a good option to see how much it costs, and what they recommend..

[emsen]

Speaking of heartguard (which I pay about 30 dollars for 6 chewable tablets, so they last for 6 months), I have seen other treatments at 1800petmed that seem to be the exact same thing, just that it has a different name and is cheaper, but I still have not tried it, is it as good as heartguard?

[tiffers]

Do not rely on PetMeds for something as serious as Heartworm Prevention. There have been known fakes come from PetMeds...I would never use anything from that site. Stick with Heartgard, it's cheap and good stuff. Heartworm prevention is the only way to keep them from getting Heartworms, and you're on the right road with the once a month dose of Heartgard.

[emsen]

Ah, thanks Tiffers! :) I will stick with heartguard then!

Everything ended up costing me 198 dollars. Don't know if that is normal for yearly vaccins and a regular health check up (the heartworm tests cost 36 dollars). What I dont understand though (:rolleyes: ) is the difference between a "fecal examination" (simply have no clue what this is) and a "wellness health examination". Those two are the once that each made the price go up (I am now comparing prices to yearly vaccins in Sweden which are WAY cheaper... :p )

[tiffers]

...a fecal exam checks the feces for intestinal parasites. Heartgard protects against some worms, but not all of them (and not coccidia or giardia). A wellness health exam checks the eyes, ears, nose, throat, lungs, heart, ect.

[suebgone]

heartworm is spread by mosquitos. the theory was, the preventative wasn't needed over the winter months as the mosquitos were not out. well, it didn't necessarilly work that way. to be safe, you should stay on it all year IMO.

of course I live in the HW capitol of the world, Central Florida, so we are on it all year, but still retest every year.

Heartgard protects against HW, rounds & hooks - only - & the mfg's. do not honor their guarantee if it is not purchased from a vet.

emsen, did you perhaps also get Heartgard & maybe even dog licenses included in that total?

[emsen]

heartworm is spread by mosquitos. the theory was, the preventative wasn't needed over the winter months as the mosquitos were not out. well, it didn't necessarilly work that way. to be safe, you should stay on it all year IMO.

of course I live in the HW capitol of the world, Central Florida, so we are on it all year, but still retest every year.

Heartgard protects against HW, rounds & hooks - only - & the mfg's. do not honor their guarantee if it is not purchased from a vet.

emsen, did you perhaps also get Heartgard & maybe even dog licenses included in that total?

Nope, unfortunately (seems like i might be going to a quite expensive vet? I automatically chose this vet when we moved here since my boyfriend's parents go there with their pets). Included in the price:

* Fecal examination 32 dollars
*Lye vaccine Booster 29 dollars
* Distemper/Parvo Booster 3 year 26 dollars
* Heartworm examination 36 dollars
* Bio/Hazard waste disposal (have no clue what this is...) 9 dollars
* Examination - Wellness 66 dollars

The vet never called back so that means that the tests were negative. :)