Heartworm Testing in Wake Forest, NC, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Wake Forest is a vet in Wake Forest, NC, that tests dogs for heartworm with a small blood sample run in the in-house lab. Most dogs need the test once a year, even when they take prevention every month.

Heartworm disease spreads through mosquito bites. Worms grow in the heart and lungs for months before a dog shows signs, so a test is the only way to catch it early.

Call (919) 891-6444, book online or walk in. Results are often ready before you leave.

Why does my dog need a heartworm test every year?

At Petfolk Wake Forest, yearly testing makes sure prevention is working. A missed dose, a late dose or a pill your dog spat out can leave a gap. Starting prevention in a dog that already has heartworm can also cause a reaction, so the vet checks first.

North Carolina is one of the top ten states for heartworm, according to the American Heartworm Society's 2025 incidence survey. The same survey named the central Carolinas among new hot spots where diagnoses are rising.

How is the test done?

The test at Petfolk Wake Forest takes a few drops of blood and a few minutes:

1. A team member draws a small blood sample from a leg or neck.

2. The sample goes into the in-house lab.

3. The test looks for heartworm proteins in the blood.

4. The vet reviews the result with you, often during the same visit.

Across Petfolk, the in-house heartworm and tick-borne disease test is the single most-ordered in-house lab test (Oct 2025 to Sep 2026). Many versions of it also screen for diseases spread by ticks, which matters on North Carolina trails.

Fear Free handling keeps the blood draw calm, with treats, a gentle hold and you nearby if you like.

I took my Pitbulls Frosty and Willow here to do initial exams and get tested for heart worms.

Ashley D., Google review

First test for puppies

Puppies at Petfolk Wake Forest usually start heartworm prevention in their first months, then get a first test around 6 to 7 months old. That timing matters because a test can't detect worms picked up only a few months earlier. After that, a yearly test keeps your dog on track.

Mosquito country, all year

Wake Forest summers are long, warm and humid, and mosquitoes breed in standing water: clogged gutters, plant saucers, buckets and low spots near creeks. Even a warm week in winter can bring them out. Dogs who walk the Dunn Creek or Sanford Creek greenways or swim at Falls Lake get plenty of exposure. That's why the vet usually advises year-round prevention and a yearly test.

Cats can get heartworm too, though there is no approved treatment for them. Talk to the team about prevention for your cat.

What if the test is positive?

A positive result at Petfolk Wake Forest starts with more testing to confirm it and see how far the disease has gone. That may include more blood work and chest x-rays. Treatment for dogs is possible, but it takes months of strict rest. The vet will walk you through each step and its cost before starting.

See heartworm prevention in Wake Forest and flea and tick prevention.

What does heartworm testing cost?

The heartworm test at Petfolk Wake Forest is priced as a lab test and is often done at the yearly wellness exam, which starts at $99. You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit.

Late-stage warning signs

A dog with advanced heartworm may cough, tire fast on walks, breathe hard or lose weight. If your dog collapses or struggles to breathe, go to a 24-hour emergency hospital such as BluePearl Pet Hospital in Raleigh right away.

Book a heartworm test

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Wake Forest is at 3600 Rogers Branch Rd, Suite 103, Wake Forest, NC 27587, near Heritage. Call (919) 891-6444 or walk in.

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