Animal Hospital of Warwick Heartworm and Tick-Borne Disease Testing Procedure

New Heartworm and Tick-Borne Disease Testing Procedure

This year has brought sadness again from tick-borne disease. We have had dogs of all ages succumb to kidney disease induced by the Lyme disease bacteria. After thorough research and speaking with experts (from Cornell University and University of Pennsylvania) in this area of infectious disease, we, as a group of doctors, have decided to implement a new testing protocol.

Instead of the simple Heartworm Antigent Test that we have done yearly in the past, we will now start testing for Heartworm disease, Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis, and Ehrlichiosis as part of your pet's annual well visit. All of these diseases can be potentially fatal to your pet. The test we will be using is the SNAP^Ž 4Dx^Ž Test developed by Idexx Laboratories. We hope that by screening more thoroughly, we will pick up on some of these diseases sooner rather than later. The combination test will still involve only a single blood draw and will continue to be run in-house so that we can have results by the end of your appointment.

The more comprehensive test will cost more than the old test. This was a difficult decision due to our current financial situation in this country, but we feel strongly that this is the best medicine for your pet(s). As always, we will be happy to provide an estimate upon request.

If your animal shows a positive test result for any of the 4 diseases, we will ask you to further confirm this qualitative test with a quantitative test. The doctor will make individual treatment recommendations for your pet(s) at that time, but the chart below outlines what you can probably expect.

Testing and Treatment Procedure for Heartworm and Tick-Borne Disease

Test Result Next Step

Heartworm Positive Send out confirming test; begin treatment if infection confirmed.

Negative Continue (or begin) monthly prevention all year.

Lyme Disease Positive Send out quantitative test to confirm and determine degree of infection.
Urinalysis, to check whether kidneys have been affected.
May begin treatment, depending on results of further testing, and
whether dog is showing clinical signs (acting ill).

Negative No treatment; continue (or begin) monthly tick prevention all year.

Anaplasmosis Positive Send out quantitative test to confirm and determine degree of infection.
Begin treatment if infection confirmed.

Negative No treatment; continue (or begin) monthly tick prevention all year.

Ehrlichiosis Positive Send out quantitative test to confirm and determine degree of infection.
Send out CBC (Complete Blood Count) to check platelet count.
Begin treatment if infection confirmed.

Negative No treatment; continue (or begin) monthly tick prevention all year.

For more information about heartworm or tick-borne disease in dogs, please visit www.dogsandticks.com, or call our office at (215)343-5300.

Testing and Treatment Procedure for Heartworm and Tick-Borne Disease
Test	Result	Next Step


Heartworm	Positive	Send out confirming test; begin treatment if infection confirmed.
	Negative	Continue (or begin) monthly prevention all year.


Lyme Disease	Positive	Send out quantitative test to confirm and determine degree of infection. Urinalysis, to check whether kidneys have been affected. May begin treatment, depending on results of further testing, and whether dog is showing clinical signs (acting ill).
	Negative	No treatment; continue (or begin) monthly tick prevention all year.


Anaplasmosis	Positive	Send out quantitative test to confirm and determine degree of infection. Begin treatment if infection confirmed.
	Negative	No treatment; continue (or begin) monthly tick prevention all year.


Ehrlichiosis	Positive	Send out quantitative test to confirm and determine degree of infection. Send out CBC (Complete Blood Count) to check platelet count. Begin treatment if infection confirmed.
	Negative	No treatment; continue (or begin) monthly tick prevention all year.