Heartworm Testing in Lake Mary, FL, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Lake Mary is a vet in Lake Mary, FL, that tests dogs for heartworm with a small blood sample, run in the clinic's in-house lab. Most dogs need the test once a year, plus before they start or restart a preventive. Results often come back while you are still at the clinic.

Book online, walk in, or call (689) 400-8901.

Why test if my dog already takes a preventive?

Because no preventive works if doses are late, missed, spit out or vomited up. Real life gets in the way: a chew falls behind the couch, a busy month slips by, a dog throws up an hour after the dose. The yearly test catches an infection early, while treatment is simpler.

The test also matters before starting a preventive. Giving some preventives to a dog who already has adult heartworms can cause a bad reaction. A negative test first makes the start safe.

How does heartworm get into a dog?

Mosquitoes spread it. A mosquito bites an infected animal, picks up tiny larvae, and passes them to the next dog it bites. Over about six months, those larvae grow into worms that live in the heart and lungs.

The Lake Mary clinic page lists mosquito-borne concerns among the problems it sees, and that fits the area. Evening walks along Lake Monroe on the Sanford RiverWalk, a yard near a retention pond, or a dog door left open on a warm night all put dogs near mosquitoes. In Central Florida, mosquitoes are around for most of the year, so protection should be too. Dogs who travel to visit family up north, or who came from a rescue with an unknown history, also benefit from a fresh test before their next dose.

What happens during a heartworm test?

The visit is short:

1. A team member takes a few drops of blood, usually from a leg.

2. The sample runs on the clinic's in-house lab, often while you wait.

3. The vet goes over the result and your dog's preventive plan.

Across Petfolk, the in-house heartworm and tick-borne disease test is the single most-ordered in-house lab test (Oct 1, 2025 to Sep 30, 2026). The same test can also check for some diseases that ticks spread, which matters for Florida dogs who hike or swim.

Fear Free handling is part of the visit. The team uses treats, a calm voice and a quick draw, and you can stay with your dog the whole time.

What does a positive test mean?

Don't panic. The vet usually confirms the result with a second test, then checks how far the disease has gone, often with blood work and x-rays in Lake Mary. Treatment is a plan over several months, with strict rest. The team walks you through every step, including how to keep an active dog calm during rest weeks, what the follow-up tests look like, and when your dog can get back to normal walks.

Heartworm and cats

Cats can get heartworm, but testing works differently and is less common. Prevention matters most for cats. Ask the vet whether a test makes sense for your cat. See heartworm prevention in Lake Mary for cat and dog options.

Pairing the test with a checkup

A wellness exam at Petfolk Lake Mary starts at $99, and the heartworm test can be done at the same visit. You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit. PetfolkCare membership starts at $199 a year. Pairing the test with your dog's yearly wellness exam in Lake Mary saves a trip.

Signs that need help fast

Heartworm can hide for months. Later signs are a soft, lasting cough, tiring fast on walks, weight loss and a swollen belly. If your dog suddenly struggles to breathe, has pale gums or collapses, go to a 24-hour emergency hospital right away. The nearest is Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG), 1490 W Fairbanks Ave, Winter Park.

Visiting the clinic

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Lake Mary is at 222 Wheelhouse Ln, #1110, Lake Mary, FL 32746, with free parking. It is open weekends and welcomes walk-ins. Call (689) 400-8901.

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