Veterinary Service

Pet Heartworm Testing

At Highway 58 Animal Hospital in Chattanooga, TN, we help prevent and can treat heartworm, a dangerous condition.

Pet Heartworm Testing in Chattanooga, TN

We at Highway 58 Animal Hospital offer heartworm treatment. Depending on the disease’s stage and the patient’s health, complete rehabilitation in a hospital setting may be feasible. There are no safety procedures or methods to remove the worms, however, our veterinary care specialists can assist in reducing any inflammation brought on by the illness.

dgo in the garden

Pet Heartworm Testing

Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal condition affecting indoor and outdoor companion pets. Heartworm larvae are transmitted to healthy animals by mosquitoes that have bitten infected animals. Heartworms are found in all 50 states but are most prevalent in warm climates with stable bodies of water. This means that companion pet owners in southeast Tennessee must protect their pets year-round with preventive heartworm treatment.

At Highway 58 Animal Hospital, we recommend annual testing for heartworms as well as a preventive treatment program. We can test for the presence of heartworms quickly, easily, and economically. It is a severe and progressive disease, but the earlier it is detected, the better the chances that your pet will recover.

Without the protection provided by a preventive treatment program, heartworms can enter your pet’s bloodstream, settle in the heart chambers, and grow up to 12 inches. They spread to the large arteries of the body and affect your pet’s cardiovascular health. There are few, if any, early signs of heartworm disease in dogs and cats. Heartworm-positive dogs will eventually experience difficulty breathing and decreased physical activity.

If your dog’s test results come back negative, then our veterinarians will start your dog on the appropriate preventive treatment that you will need to administer year-round for the rest of the animal’s life. These preventive medications come in several forms, including topical applications and tasty treats. Our favorite preventive is Proheart-6; a single injection that provides 6 months of protection from heartworms and many intestinal parasites. For more information about this cost-effective and convenient option, click here: www.proheart6.com

Cats should be put on preventive treatment and tested as our veterinarians recommend. Cats are not a natural hosts for heartworms however, just a few can make a cat very ill. Cat prevention is critical because there is no approved drug treatment for heartworm infection in cats. If your cat tests positive for heartworms, it can be helped with good veterinary care and a long-term management plan.

If you haven’t had your companion pet tested for heartworms, schedule an appointment today at Highway 58 Animal Hospital. Our doctors and staff will work with you to determine the best heartworm preventative for your pet’s lifestyle.

dog sitting in a beutiful place

Veterinary Services in Chattanooga, TN

Pet Boarding

Pet Heartworm Testing

Pet Microchipping

Pet Surgery

Pet Computerized Tomography (CT Scans)

Pet Hospice/Euthanasia

Pet Nutritional Counseling

Pet Ultrasound

Pet Dental Care

Pet Advanced Diagnostics

Pet Pain Management

Pet Wellness Programs

Pet Digital Radiography

Pet Laparoscopic Surgery

Pet Pharmacy