Heartworm infection in dogs has been diagnosed around the globe. It is caused by a blood-borne parasite known as Dirofilaria immitis. The parasite is transmitted by mosquitoes, which carry the heartworm larvae (called microfilariae) from an infected animal host to a new animal host. The dog is the definitive host and the mosquito is the intermediate host,
Adult heartworms are found in the heart, pulmonary artery, and adjacent large blood vessels of infected dogs. The adult heartworms mate and the females release their offspring, called microfilariae, into the dog’s bloodstream. This disease is a serious and potentially fatal. However, it is a preventable disease with annual screening and preventive medicine. American Heartworm Society recommends annual antigen andmicrofilaria testing for all dogs over 7 months old. Annual testing is an integral part of ensuring that prophylaxis is achieved and maintained.
In addition to single test, Bioguard also offers heartworm antigen test in three products of 4-in-1 rapid test to meet the need of veterinarians at different regions. These three 4-in-1 rapid tests have been validated extensively for detection of antibodies to Leishmania infantum, Babesia gibosoni, Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, A. platys, Ehrlichia canis, and antigen of Dirofilaria immitis (heartworm). The specific diseases detected by Bioguard’s three different 4 in 1 kits are listed in the table below.
