Heartworm Testing
Even dogs who never miss a dose need a heartworm test once a year, because doses get skipped, spit out, or washed off without anyone noticing. The test is a small blood draw at Petfolk's clinic in Midlothian, on Steam Avenue near Midlothian Turnpike and Alverser Drive, usually done during the annual wellness exam.
Call (804) 603-9509 or book online. Pair the test with your dog's wellness exam.
When it's an emergency: If your dog is coughing up blood, collapses, has pale gums, or is struggling to breathe, don't wait for a test appointment. Go to a 24-hour emergency hospital. Our clinic is open 8 AM to 6 PM every day, and we don't provide overnight care.
Why Test a Dog That's on Prevention
The American Heartworm Society recommends annual testing for all dogs, including dogs on prevention, because even careful owners miss a dose now and then. If an infection slips through, finding it early makes treatment simpler.
There's also a built-in delay. The standard test detects proteins from adult female worms, and an infection takes roughly six months after the mosquito bite to show up. A test today reflects exposure from about half a year ago.
When to Test Sooner
Before starting prevention for the first time, in dogs older than about seven months.
Before restarting after a gap.
When switching to a different product.
About six months after a known missed dose.
When signs appear: a soft cough, tiring quickly on walks, or weight loss.
How the Test Works
A team member draws a small blood sample, usually during the exam. Petfolk runs most lab work in the clinic, so many results come back during the visit. A positive result is confirmed with more testing before any treatment decision, and the doctor walks you through each step before anything happens.
"Did all testing, shots, and clipping in 30 mins and we were out of there."
— John R., Petfolk client.
Cats are tested differently. Infected cats often carry few or no adult worms, so a single test can miss infection, and the doctor may combine more than one test type with an exam. For most healthy cats, the focus is prevention.
When Your Dog Is Already on Track
If your dog tested negative within the past year, hasn't missed doses, and isn't switching products, you don't need an extra test before the next annual visit. We match testing to your dog's history rather than adding one for its own sake.
New to Chesterfield County? Test Before You Restart
Dogs arrive in the Richmond area from all over: military families on orders to Fort Lee, about 30 miles southeast; job moves; and rescue transports bringing adoptable dogs from other regions. Heartworm risk varies by region and by how consistently a dog was protected before it got here.
If your dog's records don't show a recent negative test and steady prevention, test before restarting. Bring whatever paperwork came with your dog, including shelter or transport records. The result sets the plan for your dog's first year in Midlothian.
What Heartworm Testing Costs
Testing is usually done at the wellness exam, which is $99, or included with PetfolkCare ($199 a year). The test is a separate lab line item, and PetfolkCare members get 10% off lab work. If a result is positive, confirmation testing and next steps are estimated before they're done.
Put the Test on the Calendar
Pair it with your dog's annual wellness exam at our clinic on Steam Avenue. One blood draw confirms another year of protection. Call (804) 603-9509 or book online.