Heartworm Test

Heartworm is an internal parasite that enters the bloodstream from mosquito bites, and the adult parasite lives in the major blood vessels and even in the heart. It can be potentially fatal as it interferes with normal circulation. Thankfully, due to the climate in Alberta, heartworm is not present in our area (our temperature cools off too much at night for the parasite to survive in our mosquitoes). With that said, there is heartworm present elsewhere in Canada and the United States.

If you travel with your pet outside of Alberta, please inform your veterinarian, and they can discuss the specific parasite risks for your region of travel, as well as recommendations for prevention and treatment. If you are concerned that your pet has travelled to an area with heartworm without proper prevention or treatment, please call us and we can schedule an appointment to assess and treat your pet as needed.