Heartworm Testing in Far North Central San Antonio, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Far North Central is a vet in San Antonio, TX, that tests dogs for heartworm with an in-house blood test. Most dogs need one test a year, and results usually come back during the same visit.

A yearly test isn't a sign that something's wrong. It's the check that your prevention is working, in the state where heartworm is most common.

Call (726) 600-3009 or book online. Walk-ins are welcome.

How often should my dog be tested for heartworm?

At Petfolk Far North Central, the vet recommends:

• Every year for dogs on year-round prevention.

• Before starting prevention, for dogs about 7 months or older.

• About 6 months after a missed dose, a switch in products, or a new dog with unknown history.

The test looks for proteins made by adult female worms, which take about six months after a mosquito bite to show up. That's why a recent exposure won't test positive right away.

One blood sample, two answers

At Petfolk Far North Central, the standard in-house test uses a few drops of blood. It screens for heartworm and also for common tick-borne infections, such as Ehrlichia, Anaplasma and Lyme disease. Across Petfolk, this combined heartworm and tick-disease test is the most-ordered in-house lab test (Oct 1, 2025 to Sep 30, 2026).

That second half matters here. Texas A&M's Tick App notes the brown dog tick, which lives mostly around homes and kennels, can spread Ehrlichia canis, the cause of canine ehrlichiosis.

Same day results given even some results within minutes..

Marcy G., Google review

Why test every year in San Antonio?

Texas ranked first in the nation for heartworm cases in the American Heartworm Society's survey of 2025 testing data. Mild winters and summer storms keep mosquitoes around much of the year. Even dogs on prevention can be infected if a dose is late, missed or spit out, so the yearly test catches problems early, when treatment is simpler.

What happens if the test is positive?

A positive test is a shock, but most dogs caught early respond well to treatment. The vet at Petfolk Far North Central walks you through each stage and what it means for walks and play at home.

At Petfolk Far North Central, a positive result means a few next steps:

1. Confirm it. The vet usually runs a second, different test.

2. Stage it. Blood work and chest x-rays show how the heart and lungs are doing.

3. Plan treatment. Most dogs get medicine to kill worms in stages, with strict rest.

4. Keep your dog calm. Exercise limits are the hardest part, and the most important.

You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit.

Testing cats is different

Sometimes. Cat heartworm is harder to detect, because cats often carry only a few worms. If a cat has coughing, wheezing or vomiting, the vet may suggest blood tests and x-rays. For most cats, monthly prevention is the main defense; see heartworm prevention in Far North Central.

What does a heartworm test cost?

At Petfolk Far North Central, the test is often paired with the yearly wellness exam, which starts at $99 or is part of PetfolkCare, which starts at $199 a year. You'll see the cost before the blood draw. Fear Free handling is standard at every Petfolk clinic, and most dogs barely notice the needle with a treat in front of them.

When symptoms are severe

A dog with heartworm can suddenly struggle to breathe or collapse, especially after exercise. That needs a 24-hour hospital such as BluePearl Pet Hospital Stone Oak right away.

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Far North Central is at 18206 Blanco Rd, Suite 104, San Antonio, TX 78258. Call (726) 600-3009.

Book a visit at Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Far North Central, or see all veterinary services in Far North Central.