Protect Your Pet
Heartworm Testing in Oak Park, CA
Serving All of Oak Park, Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills & More!
Annual heartworm testing is recommended even for dogs on preventive medication because resistant heartworms are on the rise. The test can be performed during your dog's annual exam or at any other time by scheduling an appointment with a veterinary technician. It requires only a small blood sample, and results are available in about 10 minutes.
Fleas and Ticks
Fleas and ticks are present year‑round in Southern California. Ticks carry multiple diseases, some transmissible to humans, including Lyme disease. Fleas inject foreign proteins under your pet’s skin, which can cause severe allergic reactions in dogs and cats, such as rash, excoriation, and self‑trauma.
We recommend that all pets receive tick, flea, and heartworm prevention.
Intestinal Parasites
We recommend that all pets be tested annually for intestinal parasites, as wildlife and other animals can carry and transmit them. Several types of intestinal parasites exist, each capable of causing intestinal inflammation, diarrhea, and sometimes anemia. Discuss this screening with us during your pet’s annual visit or contact us for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Heartworms?
Heartworms are foot-long worms that can live in the heart, lungs, and associated blood vessels of animals. This causes a serious and potentially fatal disease. Heartworms mostly affect dogs and less commonly, cats. Regular heartworm treatment is very effective at preventing this condition
What Does Heartworm Testing Involve?
There are few, if any, early signs when your dog is infected with heartworms; therefore, regular testing is essential. The test we run requires a small blood sample which will allow us to detect the presence of any heartworm proteins. Heartworm disease left unchecked is very serious, but early detection greatly increases the chances of recovery.
When Should My Dog Be Tested for Heartworms?
At Kanan Veterinary Hospital, we recommend that all dogs be tested annually for heartworm infection. We will perform this test during their routine wellness visit.
How Does My Dog Get Heartworm Disease?
A dog can become infected with heartworms when they are bitten by a mosquito that is carrying immature heartworm larvae. These larvae pass from the mosquito into the dog and move through the body. They then enter the bloodstream and migrate to the right ventricle of the heart. There is no spread from dog to dog, dog to cat, or dog to human.
More information is available at the American Heartworm Society Website.
What Do I Do If I Find Ticks In My Dog's Fur?
Call the hospital and get a technician appointment to have our team remove the tick safely.
Schedule an Appointment Today at Kanan Veterinary Hospital
We look forward to hearing from you, and we are happy to help with any questions or concerns you might have about heartworm prevention and heartworm testing in Oak Park. We are committed to providing the best care for your beloved pet. Schedule your appointment today. Call us at 818-532-7434!
Ready to book your visit?
Keep your pet healthy
Visit our office today
