What are heartworms?
Heartworms are parasitic worms that can be found in your pet's heart, lungs, and related blood vessels. The life cycle of heartworms begins when mosquitoes ingest microfilaria, which are baby heartworms, when they bite an infected animal, and develop into larvae inside the mosquito. The infected mosquito then bites another dog and infects that animal with the heartworm larvae. Once inside the new host, the larvae take about five months to mature and can grow up to a foot long within the dog's heart and lungs.
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Heartworm disease can lead to serious health problems such as lung disease and heart failure, but it is possible to treat dogs that have tested positive for heartworms. The best way to prevent heartworms is to keep your pet on heartworm prevention medication year-round. Additionally, it is recommended that pets are tested for heartworms once a year to ensure they are healthy and free of heartworm infection.
How does treatment work?
When a dog tests positive for heartworms, the first step is to schedule a consultation with our veterinarian to discuss possible treatment options. Our veterinarian will use bloodwork and X-rays to assess the severity and progression of the disease, and your pet will most likely begin antibiotics to prepare them for the treatment process.
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Our standard protocol for treating heartworm disease is Melarsomine Injections, which are typically administered two to three times over the course of two months. These injections require an overnight stay of one to two nights and are accompanied by a few medications that must be given for one to two months. This treatment option is quicker and more effective than others, and in most cases, the first round of treatment is sufficient to eliminate the heartworms.
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It's essential to note that all dogs, regardless of their heartworm status, should be on heartworm prevention. Even after successful treatment, dogs can be reinfected with heartworms.
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If you have concerns about the cost of treatment or other factors, speak with our veterinarian to determine whether alternative treatment options are suitable for your pet.
Pricing
Consultation
$175
During your pet's consultation, we will take bloodwork and x-rays ($145) and begin antibiotics ($30) to prepare your dog for treatment. Consultations cannot be booked online.
Heartworm Prevention
Simparica Trio $25/mo.
ProHeart 12 $50 - 150
Simparica Trio is a pill you give once a month to protect your pet against heartworms, fleas, ticks, and some intestinal parasites. ProHeart 12 is a once yearly injection, your dog is protected from heartworms for 12 months.
Heartworm Treatment
$214 - $589
This pricing is based on your pet's weight.
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Why should I spay or neuter my pet?Every year, about a million of unwanted dogs and cats are euthanized because they are unable to find homes. Spaying and neutering your pet prevents unwanted litters, protects against certain health issues, and may reduce some unwanted behaviors associated with the mating instinct.
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Are there health benefits to altering my pet?Altering your animal prevents uterine infections and cancer in females and prevents testicular cancer in males. If females are altered before their first or second heat cycle, this also reduces the risk of mammary cancer.
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Will a spay or neuter surgery alter my pet's personality?A spay or neuter surgery will not alter your pet’s base personality. Some changes that you may see instead include reduction of nuisance behaviors such as marking, yowling, and wandering in search of females in heat.
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At what age can my pet be spayed or neutered?Pets must be a minimum of 2 months of age and no older than 7 years of age to be eligible for surgery. For smaller pets, they must weigh at least two pounds. We encourage you to weigh your puppy or kitten to ensure they are eligible for surgery. Our clinic is designed to accept healthy animals for spay and neuter surgeries. If your pet has underlying health problems, the surgery should be performed at a full service vet clinic or be evaluated by our wellness team prior to surgery. If your pet has not been feeling well, it is best to reschedule the surgery for a later date.
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If my pet is in heat or pregnant, can she still have surgery?Yes, however, we require additional supportive care for pets that are in heat, are pregnant, or recently had puppies/kittens. We do not have ultrasound equipment to find out if your pet is pregnant, so we will terminate the pregnancy if the animal stays for surgery. Please let us know if your pet may need these additional services or see your regular, full service veterinary clinic in order to provide the safest care for their spay or neuter surgery.
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How long should I wait to spay my pet after she has a litter?We recommend waiting 8-10 weeks after your pet has had a litter of puppies/kittens before having her spayed. This is typically 2 weeks after the babies have weaned, to allow her milk to dry up. We require additional supportive care for pets that are in heat, are pregnant, or recently had puppies/kittens. Please let us know if your pet may need these additional services or see your regular, full service veterinary clinic in order to provide the safest care for their spay or neuter surgery.
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Will my pet stay overnight after their surgery?As a general rule, animals will be discharged on the same day as their surgery. The vet may choose to keep larger dogs overnight for additional supervision. There is a $25 late fee if you are more than 30 minutes late to pick up your pet, or if the pet is left here overnight. Community cats will be held over for one to two nights, and you will receive a phone call when they are ready to pick up. A late fee of $25 will be applied if they are not picked up the day after their surgery.
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Why does my pet have to have a rabies vaccination?Per MS state law, you must have a current rabies vaccination for your pet. If your pet does not have a rabies vaccine, we will administer it at the time of surgery for a charge of $15. If your pet does have a rabies vaccine, please bring proof in the form of a rabies certificate or current vaccination record from your veterinarian.
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Is a leash/carrier required for my pet?Yes, all dogs must be on a leash and all cats must be in a carrier. If you do not have a carrier for your cat, you can purchase a carrier at our clinic for $15. It is important that your cat is in a secure carrier BEFORE entering the clinic. If you are bringing more than one cat, they must be in separate carriers. Please refrain from bringing pet's personal items, such as bedding and toys, on their day of surgery. Due to the high volume of pets seen at our clinic each day, we cannot guarantee the return of these items.
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What form of payments do you accept?We accept cash and credit/debit cards. We also have a method of payment called Scratchpay that allows you to create a payment plan for larger bills. We do not accept CARE CREDIT.
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Is there a limit to how many pets I can bring in a day?Yes, we prefer no more than five pets per household per day. If you wish to bring more than five pets for spay/neuter in a day, you must pay the full surgery price and a non-refundable deposit.