Heartworm management is a cornerstone of pet health care. However, the urgent need to reduce the risk of virus transmission during the current COVID-19 pandemic has rendered the delivery of routine veterinary care problematic. As a result, veterinarians are faced with questions about annual heartworm testing and refills on heartworm preventive prescriptions, as well as interruptions and/or delays to adulticide treatment for diagnosed heartworm infections.

To address these questions, and to help veterinarians continue to provide the best possible care for their patients as the U.S. confronts the current pandemic, the American Heartworm Society (AHS) has drafted recommendations to help guide veterinary professionals.