Schedule a Heartworm Test for Your Dog

I always love to look at the pet pictures posted on ThriftyFun. We had to put our Westie to sleep in November and that was one of the hardest things to do. We miss her dearly.

If you're fortunate, and you have a healthy pet, you may not have to see your veterinarian more than once or twice a year for shots and a checkup. For even the healthiest of pets, though, right now is the best time of year to schedule an appointment for a heartworm test. This is overlooked way too often.

Heartworms are parasites that infest a dog's or cat's heart and can be deadly. Heartworms are spread by mosquitoes, but you can protect your pets easily with monthly medication. The medication can be toxic if your pet already has heartworms, so it's of utmost importance to have your vet do a blood test before giving the meds. Many people keep their pets on heartworm medication year round and think a blood test isn't necessary. However, the test for heartworms can also show if your pet has Lyme disease and two other tick-borne diseases. So it's well worth giving to dogs and cats every year.

Source: This is a suggestion from the humane society which I kept in my Westie's folder to remind me things I needed to do every year to help keep Lucy healthy.

By Bobbie G from Rockwall, TX