Heartworm Testing in Boynton Beach, FL, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Boynton Beach is a vet in Boynton Beach, FL, that tests dogs for heartworm with a small blood sample. Most dogs need the test once a year, even if they take prevention every month, and before starting or restarting prevention.

The test is run in the clinic's in-house lab, so results are often ready before you leave.

Call (561) 200-1214, book online or walk in.

Why test every year if my dog is on prevention?

Because no one is perfect, and neither is every dose. A chewable can be spit out behind the couch, a topical can wash off in the pool, or a month can slip by. A yearly test at Petfolk Boynton Beach catches an infection early, when treatment is simpler. It also matters because giving prevention to a dog who already has adult heartworms can cause a reaction.

Florida is among the top ten states for heartworm cases in the American Heartworm Society's latest survey, so yearly testing is worth the few minutes it takes.

How is a heartworm test done?

1. A small blood draw, usually from a leg or the neck. It takes seconds.

2. An in-house test that looks for heartworm proteins in the blood.

3. Results, often during the visit. The vet explains what they mean.

Across Petfolk, our in-house heartworm and tick-borne disease test is the single most-ordered in-house lab test (Oct 2025 to Sep 2026). The same test screens for Lyme disease, ehrlichia and anaplasma, which ticks can spread. That matters in Florida, where the Petfolk Boynton Beach clinic page notes tick and flea problems happen year-round.

Fear Free handling is standard at every Petfolk clinic, so the blood draw is quick and calm, with treats.

What if my dog tests positive?

A positive result needs a second test to confirm it. If heartworm disease is confirmed, the vet at Petfolk Boynton Beach will explain the treatment plan. It usually includes:

• Strict rest, because exercise pushes worm fragments into the lungs

• Medicine to weaken the worms and calm the body's reaction

• A series of injections to kill adult worms, often at a referral or specialty hospital

• Retesting months later to make sure the worms are gone

Treatment works for most dogs, but it is long and costly. Prevention is far easier.

Timing the yearly test

• Puppies: start prevention at about 8 weeks, with a first test around 7 months.

• Adult dogs: once a year, often at the yearly wellness exam.

• After a gap: if your dog missed doses or switched products, test again about 6 months later as well.

• New dogs: at the first visit, especially rescue dogs or dogs from out of state.

What does a heartworm test cost?

The test is priced on its own and can be added to any visit. A wellness exam starts at $99 at Petfolk Boynton Beach, or is free with PetfolkCare, which starts at $199 a year. You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit.

Nigel pumpernickel happy to get his labs.

Satesh R., Google review

Cats and heartworm

Cats can get heartworm too, but the common dog test often misses it. Cat heartworm can show up as coughing or vomiting, and there is no approved treatment. Prevention is the safest path for cats.

Signs that need fast help

A dog who coughs a lot, tires quickly, faints or has a swollen belly should be seen soon. If your dog collapses or struggles to breathe, go to a 24-hour emergency hospital, such as Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) on North Congress Avenue.

Book the test

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Boynton Beach is at 7375 Boynton Beach Blvd, Suite 435, Boynton Beach, FL 33437. Call (561) 200-1214. Then stay protected with heartworm prevention in Boynton Beach.

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