Heartworm disease is caused by Dirofilaria sp. and can affect dogs and cats, although it's more common in dogs. It causes death or severe disease due to blockage of arteries in the lungs. Patients can be asymptomatic or symptomatic, with cough or more severe, depending on the degree of infection or the number of worms present.
The patient is usually tested for microfilaria and adult worms. Microfilaria test is inexpensive but does not detect adults. To detect adults, heartworm antigen test is done. It is a lateral flow assay and is usually finished within ten minutes.
We recommend yearly testing for heartworm as we know this disease is preventable and the incidence here in Puerto Princesa and Palawan is high. Actually it's incidence in the entire Philippines is high!
Call us in our numbers below to know more and schedule a consult.
