Testing for Heartworm and Tick-borne Diseases in Dogs
Dog ticks found on patients at our clinic in 2016!
What is a Heartworm Test?
A heartworm test uses a small sample of a dog's blood to screen for the presence of heartworm infection. It is important to note that it is only able to detect the presence of heartworms that were introduced more than 6 months prior to testing. That means the tests that we perform this season are to ensure that your dog was not infected LAST season.
A heartworm test uses a small sample of a dog's blood to screen for the presence of heartworm infection. It is important to note that it is only able to detect the presence of heartworms that were introduced more than 6 months prior to testing. That means the tests that we perform this season are to ensure that your dog was not infected LAST season.
What is a 4-Way Test?
For the past few years, our clinic has been using 4-way heartworm tests. The 4-way test enables us to diagnose and treat these conditions before dogs start to show signs of illness.These tests use the same small sample of blood to test for four insect-transmitted diseases:
Heartworm Disease
Transmitted by mosquitos
Caused by the parasite Dirofilaria immitis. Microscopic larvae are transmitted by mosquitos and over a several months, grow to mature worms that live in the blood vessels around the heart and lungs. Prevented with monthly medication during the summer months in Ontario.
Lyme Disease
Transmitted by deer ticks.
Caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, Lyme disease was previously only prevalent in a few small pockets of Ontario. In recent years, however, many cases have been noted over wide-spread areas of southern and central Ontario. Early detection of Lyme disease before the onset of symptoms is crucial for treatment.
Ehrlichiosis
Transmitted by the brown dog tick.
Caused by Ehrlichia canis. Prevalence of this bacterial disease has also been increasing in dogs in Ontario. The bacteria infect the white blood cells causing many non-specific symptoms such as fever, listlessness and joint pain much like those of Lyme Disease.
Anaplasmosis
Transmitted by deer ticks and brown dog ticks.
Caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilium and Anaplasma platys. These bacteria also infect the white blood cells and cause similar signs to Lyme disease: fever, listlessness and joint swelling. Later in the disease, low platelet numbers can bleeding disorders due to impaired clotting.
It is important to note that ticks are active anytime the weather is above 4C, not just in the spring and summer! All four of these diseases can be treated, but early detection is essential to give patients the chance to make full recoveries. At Southgate Animal Hospital we have medications like Bravecto, Revolution, Heartgard and Interceptor to protect your pet during heartworm and tick season.
