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Just adopted a dog, when should I get her tested for heartworm?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 53 lbs

We rescued a dog last June from the Humane Society. How soon do I need to get her checked for heartworm?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on February 22nd, 2018

Heartworm medication should be given to a dog every month, but if a dog does have heartworm, it will take at least six months for a dog to test positive after being infected. I would have Holly checked for heartworm now so she can be put on a preventative if she is negative for it. I hope this helps!

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Related Questions

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Hi, I adopted Edie a few days ago from a rescue. They got her from a small shelter down in south Texas. The shelter tested her for heartworms on 12/27/19 and she was negative. I took her to the vet today and she tested positive. The vet said the test
hello and thank you for your question. It is possible but very unlikly that the shelter test was a "false negative". Heartworms can take up to 6 months to mature. It is hte mature worms that breed, have babies, which spread to the bloodstream and cause an immune reponse. It is this immune response (antibodies in the bloodstream) that make a test show up positive. So your dog was already infected but not shoing a positive result yet. There was not really a mistake by the shelter, just timing. Definitely contact the shelter with the results and they may help with treatment costs. I hope your new pup feels better soon! If you have further questions please feel free to contact me for a one on one consultaion. My fees are reduced right now due to COVID-19 and I am happy to help with any concerns!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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Health & Wellbeing
He was diagnosed with border line positive for heartworm our vet too a micro test that showed negative he has him on sentinel pills he wants to redo the regular heart work test again would it show negative if he is on heartworm pills
Yes, it would show up even if on prevention. The test is only checking for the presence of the adult heartworms in the heart. It takes approximately 6 months from the time the dog is bitten by a positive mosquito to the time they would show up positive on a test. I suggest you not wait and get a confirmatory test now. If Shiloh truly is heartworm positive you should have him treated. The prevention is only going to keep him from getting more worms. It does nothing for treatment. Hope this helps. Best wishes.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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Health & Wellbeing
I’m sure she doesn’t have them but what are the symptoms for heartworms? I wanna be prepared
Most dogs take 2-3 years of being positive for heartworms before showing symproms. Most commonly you will see coughing first. After awhile, they may stop eating, get a pot belly and sometimes have labored breathing. At 4 months of age, I would not be too concerned about heartworms, but I would definitely get her started on heartworm prevention if you haven't already. I would have your vet check a heartworm test in 6-8 months if you have recently missed a month of heartworm prevention. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I have a 4 month old puppy and my vet told me to get a heartworm test at 6 months. Should I begin to give her heartworm preventatives or should I just wait until after the heartworm test?
It is very important to start heartworm preventative in puppies to make sure that they are protected and never get heartworms, so be sure to get Callie started on heartworm prevention right away. This is very important in warmer climates because mosquitoes are present year round and Callie can get infected even in the winter. So, ask your vet for a heartworm prevention recommendation for Callie. Congrats on your new baby! ! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I am a first time dog owner and my vet never prescribed my puppy heartworm medication. I assumed at 6 months they get it but I realized she probably should have been put on a monthly chew at 8 weeks. She is 7 months now is it too late or can I run to
Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! It is never too late! At 7 months old I recommend that your Vet test Midna for heart worm disease now. If she is negative start Heartgard then retest her again in 6 months. It takes a heart worm 6 months from the bite of an infected mosquito to mature in to adults and cause a test to be positive. So testing now only proves she wasn't bitten in the first 1 month of life. I highly recommend year round heart worm prevention for the entirety of the pets life. Getting heart worm disease can be deadly and treating heart worm disease is expensive and can also cause be deadly. I hope this helps and I wish you and Midna the best.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Newly adopted rescue, unsure if he ever had vaccinations. What vaccinations should he get and are there boosters? What type of heartworm prevention?
If there is no history of vaccinations, I would have the Distemper / Parvo / Adenovirus vaccine administered (this is a yearly vaccine), the bordetella vaccine and his Rabies vaccination. I recommend heartgard for heartworm prevention along with yearly heartworm testing. Heartgard is a monthly chewable tablet give to prevent heartworm disease. If you live in an area where fleas and ticks are prevalent, I would also suggest a flea / tick preventative such as Nexgard or Bravecto. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. I am also available via consultation if needed.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Can I put my puppy on heartguard without a blood test? He is 5 months and 3 weeks old
Yes, I usually start dogs under six months on a heartworm medication without a blood test. The test checks for antibodies to adult worms and they need six months to grow into adults so that’s why the test isn’t needed. I’m glad you are using heart guard since it’s safe to use even if by some chance he has an early heartworm infection. Certainly have his blood tested at your annual exam and vaccinations. Thanks for using Boop by Petco to help you care for Jac.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Considering adopting 3 y/o female dachshund from shelter who is heart worm positive. What do I need to know about her care? How do I prepare 11 y/o female dachshund in our home already. I know treatment is costly but what else must I be prepared for
Thank you for submitting your question regarding your potential new dog. The biggest issue with a heartworm positive dog is she will need strict rest throughout her treatment especially after she is given the medication to kill the adult worms. She should have x-rays of her chest as well as blood and urine testing prior to starting treatment to determine the extent of her disease. Because she will need to be kept quiet, it may make introductions with your current dog easier. She should be used to a crate coming the the shelter, so she will be able to kept separate. This will allow them both time to get used to each other. You can allow them to meet on neutral territory and keep them separate in the home until they are more comfortable with each other. Good luck!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I might have accidentally skipped Heartgard for 1 month. Not positive, but the following month when I went to give it, the pre-written month on the package didn't match and made me think I might have forgotten (unless I just randomly grabbed one the
If you only missed 1 month, you should be fine. Just resume Heartgard right away . If you just want peace of mind, then you can have Lilly retested in 6 month from now; however, the chances of infection are pretty low. Thanks for visiting Boop by Petco and best wishes with your pet Lilly. Take care!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
When should I start heartworm prevention? And I can’t afford constant doctor visits, how can I get the medicine?
Heartworm prevention can be started at any age. While some parts of the country have heart worms year-round, other parts only have a heartworm season. A local veterinarian is the best person to answer your question as to when to start the prevention. Typically the prevention requires one visit for a heartworm test (a blood test). Prevention is a tablet given once a month. As long as you give the tablet each month you will not need to repeat a heartworm test until the next year. The test must be done once a year to sell the prevention. You do not require a visit every time you get the heartworm preventative unless your pet is growing. Then you just need to get her weight so you can get the correct size tablet. Adult dogs can also get an injectable product that last six months. This must be administered by the veterinarian. I hope this answers your questions and please feel free to post any additional questions.
Updated on September 24th, 2025

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