It happened again.
I often get the impression that people think I’m “the lawyer speed-reading a radio commercial disclaimer” when I tell them that their dog needs to come back in six months for another heartworm test because they missed one or more doses of heartworm preventive. The exact script is here. And, no, I don’t rush it.
Another scenario, the one that pertains to Annie, pictured below, occurs when pets have had no previous
heartworm preventive, or have an unknown history. Annie was adopted by her new family from the Humane Society of South Mississippi. Having been a stray, we have no way to know whether she had ever been on heartworm prevention, so we trod the safe route, and assumed that she hadn’t.
That decision paid off this week.
After having had a negative heartworm test in December, 2010, we began heartworm preventive with the full knowledge that she could have a positive test in June of 2011.
Sadly, the test was positive on June 14th.
Gladly, we have begun treatment and all is well so far.
The take-home message is that when your pet’s doctor has “the talk” with you about a heartworm retest six months after missing doses, pay close attention.
It’s important.
It’s in the process of saving Annie’s life right now.
See you tomorrow, Dr. Randolph.
MMOPVT
