Heartworm Testing in Grant Park, Atlanta, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Grant Park is a vet in Grant Park, Atlanta, that runs a yearly heartworm test for dogs in its in-house lab. It takes a few drops of blood, and results usually come back before you leave. The same test also screens for several diseases spread by ticks.

Call (470) 256-0274 or book online.

How often should my dog be tested for heartworm?

Once a year for most dogs, even dogs on prevention every month. Puppies can start prevention before 7 months of age and get their first test around 6 months after they start. Test sooner if:

• your dog missed one or more doses, or you are not sure all doses were given

• you are switching from one prevention product to another

• your dog vomited a dose or spit out a chew you didn't notice

• you adopted an adult dog with no clear record

• your dog has a new cough or tires on walks

Heartworm takes about six months to show up on a test after a mosquito bite. So a test today catches an infection from last spring or summer, not last week. That is why the timing of the test matters, and why the vet may suggest a repeat test after a gap in prevention.

Why test a dog who never misses a dose?

No prevention is perfect. A chew can be spit out behind the couch, a topical can wash off after a bath or a swim, and a dose given a week late leaves a gap. Atlanta's long mosquito season makes small gaps count more. Georgia was among the top ten states for heartworm cases in the American Heartworm Society's 2025 survey.

Most product makers also ask for a current negative test before they will back their product. And starting prevention in a dog who already has adult worms can cause a serious reaction, so the test protects your dog before the first dose.

What does the test check for?

The in-house test checks a small blood sample for heartworm. Most versions also check for three tick-borne infections that are common in the Southeast: Lyme disease, ehrlichia and anaplasma. Across Petfolk from October 2025 to September 2026, this heartworm and tick-borne disease test was the in-house lab test ordered more than any other.

The blood draw takes about a minute. Fear Free handling, treats and a calm room help most dogs barely notice. You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit.

If the test is positive

A positive result does not always mean the worst. The vet will explain what it shows and usually confirms it with a second test sent to an outside lab, plus blood work or chest x-rays to see how the heart and lungs look. From there, the vet talks through treatment, which takes months and needs strict rest, and refers you to a specialist if needed.

A positive tick-disease result also needs a closer look. Many dogs are exposed and never get sick. The vet will check for signs like fever, joint pain or low platelets before deciding on treatment.

What about cats?

Cats are tested differently, and the tests are less clear-cut, because cats carry very few worms. The vet may suggest testing a cat with a cough or breathing problems. For cats, monthly heartworm prevention matters most, since there is no approved treatment.

Combine it with the yearly checkup

The heartworm test fits easily into the yearly wellness exam. One trip can cover the test, the exam and the next 6 or 12 months of prevention, which helps for families coming from Reynoldstown or Capitol View.

Signs that need fast help

Go to a 24-hour emergency hospital if your dog collapses, breathes very fast or with effort, has pale gums or a swollen belly. These can be signs of advanced heartworm disease. MedVet Atlanta on Century Circle NE sees emergencies without an appointment.

Book a visit at Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Grant Park, or see all veterinary services in Grant Park.