Heartworm Testing in East Cobb, Marietta, GA, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - East Cobb Marietta is a vet in East Cobb that tests dogs for heartworm with a quick blood test. Most adult dogs need one test a year, even if they take prevention every month.

A yearly test is a safety check. Doses get missed, chews get spit out behind the couch, and no product is perfect. The test catches an infection early, when treatment is simpler.

Call (678) 539-8441 or book online. Walk-ins are welcome.

Why does my dog need a heartworm test every year?

Your dog needs a yearly heartworm test because prevention only works when every dose is given and kept down. The American Heartworm Society advises a test each year for dogs on prevention. Georgia was among the top ten states for heartworm cases in its 2025 survey, so the test matters here more than in many places. Your dog also needs a negative test before starting or switching most heartworm products.

How is the test done?

The heartworm test at Petfolk East Cobb takes only a small blood sample:

1. A team member draws a few drops of blood, often from a leg.

2. The sample runs on an in-house test kit.

3. Results are usually ready during the same visit.

4. The vet explains what the result means for your dog.

Across Petfolk, the in-house heartworm and tick-borne disease test is the single most-ordered in-house lab test (Oct 2025 to Sep 2026). Many versions check for heartworm plus diseases spread by ticks, like Lyme, ehrlichia and anaplasma, in the same few drops.

Fear Free handling is standard at every Petfolk clinic. A blood draw is quick, and treats help most dogs ignore it.

Equally important, they don’t try to push tests, procedures or medications to boost their bottom line.

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What if my dog tests positive?

A positive result at Petfolk East Cobb usually means the vet will run a second, different test to confirm it. If it is confirmed, the next steps often include chest x-rays and blood work to see how the heart and lungs are doing. Treatment takes several months and calls for strict rest, so catching it early really helps. The vet will walk you through each step and the cost before you decide.

Ticks found by the same test

East Cobb yards back up to woods, and ticks are common here, as the clinic page notes. Many dogs pick them up on wooded trails or along the Chattahoochee River. If the combined test shows exposure to a tick-borne disease, the vet may suggest more tests or treatment, and will check that your dog's flea and tick prevention fits. See flea and tick prevention in East Cobb for options.

What about cats?

Heartworm tests for cats are less clear, because cats usually carry only a few worms. The vet may suggest a test for a cat with coughing or breathing changes. For most cats, the focus is on monthly prevention.

Cost of a heartworm test

The heartworm test at Petfolk East Cobb is priced on its own and is often done at a wellness exam, which starts at $99. A PetfolkCare membership starts at $199 a year and includes the wellness exam. You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit.

Signs that need a visit

Coughing, tiring quickly, or a swollen belly in a dog can point to heartworm disease and should be checked soon. If your dog collapses or can't catch their breath, go to a 24-hour emergency hospital such as Dogwood Veterinary Specialty and Emergency on Powers Ferry Common SE in Marietta.

Test at your next checkup

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - East Cobb Marietta is at 4475 Roswell Rd, Suite 1420, Marietta, GA 30062. Call (678) 539-8441 to book.

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