Microfilaria and serology are the two types
of heartworm tests and they both can effectively be used for all dogs. No
matter which heartworm test you may use, the whole process doesn’t take more
than 10 to 20 minutes.
When using microfilaria method for your
dog’s heartworm test, a blood sample is collected and after adding a chemical
into it to avoid clotting, the mixture is then immediately placed inside a
glass container. The mixture is then passed through a filter, and it is then
checked for the presence of baby worms or microfilaria in the blood under a
microscope.
Whereas, when using the serology heartworm
testing method, you also collect a blood sample. Your veterinarian then mixes a
specific amount of blood with a different chemical and passes the mixture
through the heartworm filter paper. After this, certain heartworm antibodies
are added to the filter paper and just like women’s pregnancy test, serology
test results become visible with a change of color or with the appearance of a
line over a specific place on the paper.
Performing heartworm test is not risky for
you or your pet. Collecting a blood sample is a quite basic medical procedure
that hardly takes a couple of minutes. If you know how you can perform the test
at home, you can also collect the blood sample at home and get results from a
diagnostic laboratory or you can take your dog to the vet and get the test
done. Either way, your veterinarian can help you understand your dog’s
condition and guide you and your dog through the treatment process.
However, it is important that you get your
dog tested for heartworm annually, especially if you live in a warm place and
have a mosquito problem. With early diagnosis, you can help your dog with
timely treatment and quicker recovery to avoid any permanent harm to your dog.
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