Resource Center

Heartworm Guidelines

Guidelines for the Diagnosis, Prevention, and Management of Heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) Infection in Dogs and Cats.

Canine Heartworm Guidelines

Feline Heartworm Guidelines

Decision-Making Considerations for Heartworm Management in Shelter Dogs

This tool was developed as a way to incorporate evidence-based medical, behavioral, and operational perspectives into canine heartworm disease management policies and protocols for shelter populations...

Heartworm Treatment Dosage Calculator

We have developed a web-based app to benefit veterinary professionals. Now treating dogs with heartworm disease is more straightforward than ever. With the AHS Treatment Plan app you have the precise regimen you need at your fingertips.

Client Brochure: Heartworm Disease In Dogs

Heartworm basics for your clients with dogs. An illustrated canine-specific overview of heartworm disease designed to introduce and explain the infection to dog owners, including the heartworm life cycle, signs of the disease, how to detect the infection, which dogs should be tested, the incidence of canine heartworm disease in the United States, how to prevent the disease, and the risks associated with treatment. The tone is clear and comfortable for dog owners to read, yet specific enough to provide fundamental knowledge and an emphasis on prevention. This is an excellent take-home piece and can be mailed in letter-sized envelopes as part of your canine heartworm prevention campaigns.

Client Brochure: Heartworm Disease In Cats

Heartworm basics for your clients with cats. This illustrated species-specific overview of heartworm disease is designed to introduce and explain the infection to cat owners, including the heartworm life cycle, signs of the disease, how to detect the infection, which cats should be tested, incidence of feline heartworm disease in the United States, and how to prevent the disease. Content also emphasizes the fact that no treatment is available for cats and clarifies why. The language is plain and friendly for cat owners to read, yet detailed enough to provide essential knowledge of the disease, carefully stressing the need for prevention. This is an excellent take-home piece that can also be mailed in letter-sized envelopes as part of your feline heartworm prevention campaigns.

Client Brochure: Heartworm Disease In Dogs (Spanish)

Heartworm basics for your clients with dogs. An illustrated canine-specific overview of heartworm disease designed to introduce and explain the infection to dog owners, including the heartworm life cycle, signs of the disease, how to detect the infection, which dogs should be tested, the incidence of canine heartworm disease in the United States, how to prevent the disease, and the risks associated with treatment. The tone is clear and comfortable for dog owners to read, yet specific enough to provide fundamental knowledge and an emphasis on prevention. This is an excellent take-home piece and can be mailed in letter-sized envelopes as part of your canine heartworm prevention campaigns.

Client Brochure: Heartworm Disease In Cats (Spanish)

Heartworm basics for your clients with cats. This illustrated species-specific overview of heartworm disease is designed to introduce and explain the infection to cat owners, including the heartworm life cycle, signs of the disease, how to detect the infection, which cats should be tested, incidence of feline heartworm disease in the United States, and how to prevent the disease. Content also emphasizes the fact that no treatment is available for cats and clarifies why. The language is plain and friendly for cat owners to read, yet detailed enough to provide essential knowledge of the disease, carefully stressing the need for prevention. This is an excellent take-home piece that can also be mailed in letter-sized envelopes as part of your feline heartworm prevention campaigns.

Client Brochure: Heartworm Disease In Dogs (French)

Heartworm basics for your clients with dogs. An illustrated canine-specific overview of heartworm disease designed to introduce and explain the infection to dog owners, including the heartworm life cycle, signs of the disease, how to detect the infection, which dogs should be tested, the incidence of canine heartworm disease in the United States, how to prevent the disease, and the risks associated with treatment. The tone is clear and comfortable for dog owners to read, yet specific enough to provide fundamental knowledge and an emphasis on prevention. This is an excellent take-home piece and can be mailed in letter-sized envelopes as part of your canine heartworm prevention campaigns.

Client Brochure: Heartworm Disease In Cats (French)

Heartworm basics for your clients with cats. This illustrated species-specific overview of heartworm disease is designed to introduce and explain the infection to cat owners, including the heartworm life cycle, signs of the disease, how to detect the infection, which cats should be tested, incidence of feline heartworm disease in the United States, and how to prevent the disease. Content also emphasizes the fact that no treatment is available for cats and clarifies why. The language is plain and friendly for cat owners to read, yet detailed enough to provide essential knowledge of the disease, carefully stressing the need for prevention. This is an excellent take-home piece that can also be mailed in letter-sized envelopes as part of your feline heartworm prevention campaigns.

AHS Bulletin

 ...

Updated Canine Heartworm Guidelines

In this VETgirl blog, Dr. Jenni Rizzo summarizes the changes made in the 2024 update to the AHS Canine Heartworm Guidelines

Does a dog with a positive Ag test and negative MF test need to be treated for heartworms?

The results of heartworm tests can sometimes raise questions as well as provide answers. This Clinical FAQ uses an algorithm to explain what veterinarians can conclude from differing test results

Feline heartworm: Are YOU looking for it?

In this article, which was published in VETgirl's e-magazine, Dr. Tom Nelson explains the "how tos" of feline heartworm diagnosis.

New AHS Heartworm Incidence Map

In this Clinical Q&A, AHS President Dr. Jenni Rizzo explains the findings of the 2022 Heartworm Incidence Survey and what they tell us about the spread of heartworms in the U.S. as well as long-timer and emergy "hot spots."

Which heartworm preventive is best?

With so many heartworm preventives available, it's not unreasonable for clients--and even veterinarians--to wonder which one is "best." The truth is that the BEST preventive is--quite simply--the preventive a pet owner will GIVE. As Dr. Elizabeth Clyde explains, factors like cost, covenience, mode of administration and frequency of administration all come into play.

Patient Management after Two Melarsomine Injections

A newly adopted patient received two injections instead of three when treated for heartworm. Veterinarian Angele Bice explains.

Managing Heartworm Disease in Zoo Animals

Zoo animals like marine mammals, big cats and others can become infected with heartworms. Fortunately, prevention is possible.

When a Treated Dog has Persistent Microfilaria

Dr. Tom Nelson explains the potential reasons a dog may test positive for microfilaria following heartworm treatment

Role of Antigen and Antibody Testing in Heartworm-Positive Cats

Veterinary parasitologist Dr. Lindsay Starkey outlines the role of antigen and antibody tests for heartworm screening in cats

Exercise Restriction Advice for Dogs Undergoing Heartworm Treatment

Successful treatment of dogs with heartworm infection requires keeping them quiet and calm, as Dr. Brian DiGangi explains.

How to Treat Heartworm-Positive Cats

There are no approved heartworm treatments for cats, but veterinarians do have options when managing these patients. Veterinary cardiologist Dr. Marisa Ames explains.

Why Pets Need Year-Round Heartworm Prevention

Heartworm Diagnostics: Antigen Tests Alone Aren't Enough

How reliable are patient-side heartworm antigen tests? Veterinary parasitologist Dr. Lindsay Starkey explains.