Heartworm Testing in Nichols Hills, OK, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Nichols Hills is a vet in Nichols Hills, OK, that tests dogs for heartworms with a small blood sample. Dogs should be tested once a year, even if they take prevention every month, and before starting or restarting prevention.

The test runs in the clinic's in-house lab, so results are often ready during the same visit.

Call (405) 251-8816, book online, or walk in for a heartworm test.

Why test a dog that's already on prevention?

No preventive is perfect. A dose can be late, a chew can be spit out under the couch, or a dog can vomit a pill without anyone noticing. A yearly test catches an infection early, when treatment is simpler and the heart and lungs have less damage.

The test also matters before starting prevention. Giving a preventive to a dog who already has adult heartworms can cause a reaction, so the vet at Petfolk Nichols Hills checks first.

What does the heartworm test check for?

At Petfolk, the most common in-house test checks for heartworm and for several tick-borne infections at the same time, from one blood sample. Across Petfolk, this combined heartworm and tick-borne disease test is the single most-ordered in-house lab test (Oct 1, 2025 to Sep 30, 2026).

That's useful in Oklahoma. Oklahoma State University Extension names Rocky Mountain spotted fever and ehrlichiosis as the state's biggest tick-borne health problems. The lone star tick, which carries ehrlichiosis, is active from early spring through late fall, so a yearly screen can pick up an infection your dog never showed signs of.

How the test works

1. A small blood sample, usually from a leg vein. It takes a moment.

2. The in-house lab runs it, often within minutes.

3. The vet explains the result and what comes next.

Fear Free handling is standard at every Petfolk clinic. At Petfolk Nichols Hills, the team uses treats and a gentle hold for the blood draw, and small dogs can stay close to you.

What happens if my dog tests positive?

Don't panic. The vet will usually run a second test to confirm, then may suggest x-rays or blood work to see how the heart and lungs are doing. Heartworm treatment takes months and includes strict rest, because dying worms can block blood vessels if a dog is too active. The vet at Petfolk Nichols Hills will explain each step and the cost before you decide.

For a positive tick-borne result, many dogs need only an exam and, if there are signs, a course of medicine. A positive screen can mean your dog met the germ at some point, not that it is sick now. The vet may suggest a follow-up blood test to check platelets and other values, then decide with you whether treatment makes sense. Either way, it is a good moment to review tick prevention and check your yard for tall grass and brush where ticks wait.

What does a heartworm test cost?

The test is priced on its own and is often done with a wellness exam, which starts at $99 at Petfolk Nichols Hills. You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit.

After a negative result

A negative test means it's time to start or keep up prevention. See heartworm prevention in Nichols Hills for the options, and flea and tick prevention in Nichols Hills to cut tick risk.

Breathing trouble or collapse

Advanced heartworm disease can cause sudden breathing trouble or collapse. If that happens, go to a 24-hour hospital such as VEG Oklahoma City on Pawnee Dr off N Western Ave.

Testing close to home

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Nichols Hills is at 1125 NW 63rd St Suite 1125 C, Oklahoma City, OK 73116, near Nichols Hills Plaza, with parking on site. Call (405) 251-8816 with any questions.

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