Podcasts

Heartworm Screening and the AHS Guidelines: What to Do When Test Results Indicate Heartworm Infection | VETgirl Veterinary Continuing Education Podcasts

April 2024

In today’s VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, we interview Dr. Lindsay Starkey, a veterinary parasitologist from Oklahoma State, and Dr. Marisa Ames, veterinary cardiologist from UC Davis, both of whom are on the American Heartworm Society (AHS) Board of Directors and the AHS Guidelines Committee. Patient-side canine antigen heartworm tests are easy to administer—and accurate. And that’s why they’re the foundation of a veterinarian’s heartworm testing protocol. But there’s more to heartworm screening than antigen testing alone. And should the screening test indicate you have a positive patient, it’s important to know what additional steps are recommended as you evaluate the patient prior to treatment. In this podcast, Dr. Starkey and Dr. Ames discuss what the newly updated American Heartworm Society Canine Heartworm Guidelines say about screening dogs for heartworm, and what additional evaluation is needed—and when—if the screening tests are positive.

Today’s VETgirl podcast is brought to you by the American Heartworm Society, whose mission is to lead the veterinary profession and the public in the understanding of heartworm disease. The AHS has countless resources for veterinary professionals, from industry-leading heartworm guidelines to creative client education tools. Whether you need answers to questions about heartworm treatment or you’re seeking the perfect post for your clinic Instagram page, you’ll find it at heartwormsociety.org/resources. You can also subscribe to free updates on the latest developments in diagnosing and managing this complex disease. Visit heartwormsociety.org/resources today!

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