The Heartworm/Tick-Borne Disease blood test checks for all four tick-borne diseases simultaneously: heartworm disease, Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis. It is essential to test annually for these diseases to ensure your dog is healthy.
The parasitic worm Dirofilaria immitis causes heartworm disease. These parasites are spread when an infected mosquito bites a dog. They live and grow in the dog’s heart and pulmonary artery.
Common clinical signs are coughing, not wanting to exercise, or falling suddenly. The heart and lungs of dogs can get hurt in a way that won’t go away.
Ticks can pass diseases like Lyme, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis to people. Ticks spread them when they bite and feed. Tick can carry more than one disease, and multiple ticks can bite the same dog.
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The same dog can have Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis simultaneously. Depending on the condition, typical clinical signs can include fever, tiredness, walking funny, joint pain, or unusual bruises.
You should test for these diseases yearly to ensure your dog is healthy. Dogs should be on a regular, year-round, broad-spectrum parasite control program that protects them from fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal parasites. This keeps them from getting sick from the most common pathogens that mosquitoes and ticks carry.
Some clinics have a wide range of products, and Experienced veterinarians can help you figure out the best way to protect and care for your dog. It is important to test annually for these diseases to ensure your dog is healthy.
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