Scratchings-and-Sniffings

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The Cost of Heartworm Testing and Prevention Posted: 06 Jun 2010 11:48 AM PDT I've been doing a series on heartworm over on the pet health insurance blog. The series deals with the reasons for the spread and general worsening of heartworm disease in the US. I cover the three factors primarily responsible including, a growing reservoir of heartworm infected dogs, the spread of the heartworm mosquito vector and the climatic conditions facilitating mosquito survival. Studies show that, at best, only 44% of dog owners currently test and use heartworm preventive. That means that at least 56% don't and that we have lots of potential heartworm positive dogs out there serving as a reservoir of infection. These dogs host the microfilaria that mosquitoes spread to other susceptible dogs.   Unquestionably, the best way to stem the heartworm problem is to prevent it in the first place and since preventatives are at least 99% effective we should be able to stop this disease. Why don't we do it.   Cost of treatment may be one reason according to an e-mail I got from a reader recently.    For me to test and treat Miles, my 75 pound Labrador Retriever, would cost $116.20 a year. That would be $27.58 for the test and $88.62 for a 12 month supply of heartworm preventative. That comes to a little less than $10 a month. It would be less expensive to treat a smaller dog.   According to Fred, the reader with the cost issue, heartworm preventatives have gotten so expensive that people are having to make hard choices about whether they treat or not. Given the current state of the economy and the high level of unemployment, I can see his point. Some people are in the unenviable situation of having to weigh the risk of not treating with their own financial situation. I can say, with some degree of confidence, that the risk is increasing.   According to Michael Paul, DVM and Executive Director of Companion Animal Parasite Control, a dog that might have been bitten by a mosquito 50 times a day in the past may now be bitten up to 500 times a day. And, as my series points out, more and more areas are becoming heartworm endemic. Even My own part of the Southwest. That's why I know how much it costs to protect Miles.   I don't know how to answer the question about cost. I'm fortunate enough to be able to do what ever needs to be done for Miles, but I realize that lots of people that love their dogs just as much might not be in that position. I looked at one of those on line pharmacies that promises lower prices and found that if the product had not been on sale, it would have cost more than at my Vet clinic. Even on sale it was only about $12 less expensive.    I do know that there are lots of people out there who have no business owning a dog, or three plus the last litter from their un-spayed female dog. I don't have to go far to find one either. My neighbor around the corner is a perfect example. Lat year she got a puppy and tied it up in her front yard. The puppy grew up, got pregnant by the un-neutered male dog in the next yard and gave birth to seven puppies. She took the whole kit and kabbodle to the pound to get "adopted" including the mother dog. Guess what, she now has a brand new pit bull tied up in her yard. I seriously doubt that he's on heartworm prevention. At least he won't get pregnant.   Education is a big part of the problem. Not just on the need for something like heartworm prevention, but on the overall financial obligation incurred with pet ownership. Most of us are going to have to spend between $200 and $500 a year just on exams, testing and prevention, let alone the occasional accident. That's a significant chunk of change, just ask my daughter. One of the reasons Miles currently resides with us instead of her is the cost of care.   My guess is that most of the people reading this blog do what it takes to keep their dogs and cats healthy. I'd imagine that some of you make sacrifices in other areas of your lives to make that happen. For us, it goes with the territory.    I'm sure there are pet lovers in dire financial straights, too. People that love their dogs as much as we love Miles, but really can't afford the cost of care. Hopefully, our current economic troubles won't last forever. Hopefully, if you are gambling with disease versus prevention you'll be lucky on that front, too. Do what you can.

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