Heartworm Medication Cost Vs. Heartworm Prevention Cost – Make a Smart Move!

Every pet owner has heard about the danger of heartworm disease among pets and why it’s crucial to take preventive measures. If you are a first-time pet owner, then try to take some time out to learn about heartworms, how they affect the animal and study why the heartworm medication is essential.

Your dog's health is as important as your health. Heartworm infestation is widespread in dogs, and it is ideal to find spay and neuter clinic nearby offering cheaper heartworm test cost for your dog. The cost of heartworm test for dogs varies from clinic to clinic, and it is only wise to research and explore well enough before picking a veterinary or spay and neuter clinic nearby.

What Are Heartworms?

Heartworms are one type of roundworm which can be a foot long when they mature. Once they lodge in animal's body, they grow, mate and produce offspring right inside your pet body. When diagnosed thoroughly, they are found mostly in lungs, blood vessels and heart. As heartworm infection can be lethal for your pet, it is essential to administer instant heartworm medication for dogs. The cost of heartworm medication may be expensive at some clinics, but you can always visit or contact Emanicpet for affordable heartworm treatment for dogs.

How Are Heartworms Transmitted?

One of the most common sources of transmitting heartworms in animals is through mosquitoes. When the mosquito bites a heartworm-infected animal, and then the same mosquito bites a healthy animal, it can transmit baby worms in the healthy animal. These infective larvae enter the bloodstream from the surface in 10 -14 days. Within six months, the heartworm larvae mature into adult heartworm and start affecting your pet's body.

Hence, it is crucial to administer heartworm prevention for dogs regularly to make your pet immune to such infections. Also, if you can diagnose heartworm infestation early-on, then you can effectively treat your pet. The cost of heartworm test isn’t too high. At your regular veterinary clinic or spay and neuter mobile clinic, the vet may schedule such tests on a regular basis during checkups.

How Do Heartworms Affect Dogs?

A pet owner won’t be able to detect heartworm symptoms in dog on the starting days. With time, the number of worms grows, and the dog will start coughing. As the time passes, the dog becomes breathless and is unable to perform all the daily activities it did in the past. If left untreated, your dog may die due to heartworm disease.

This disease can be expensive to treat. Before the actual treatment begins, the veterinarian will advise getting blood work and X-rays done to see the damage caused by heartworms. The cost of heartworm medication for dogs is approximately $300, but with additional tests, the price can go up to $1000. Hence, veterinarians advice dog owners to take preventive measure before the disease strikes and opt for the regular heartworm tests during checkups. The cost of heartworm test is almost negligible compared to the health and longevity of your pet.

How Can Heartworms Be Prevented?

Heartworm infection can be prevented if taken precautionary measures in time. To minimize the risk, get your pet tested for heartworms once a year at an excellent veterinary office. You can also give heartworm preventive medication every single month. Before, starting any medication, bring your dog to vet first to know how much does a heartworm test cost usually. The local vet may also prescribe some drugs to prevent heartworm infestation. 

The best way to fight any disease is by gaining knowledge about the virus. By taking proper preventive measures, you can save your dog from many dreadful disorders so that they can live a healthy and happy life.

Visit Emancipet today with your pet dog for a routine check-up that includes a heartworm test and diagnosis for other dreadful diseases. The cost of heartworm test for a dog is negligible at Emancipet. Our low-cost spay and neuter clinic also offers heartworm medication for dogs at reasonable pricing.