HEARTWORM Test for Dogs and Cats – Canine / Feline Rapid At-Home Testing Kit

This test requires a dog’s serum, plasma, or whole blood sample.
You will need 5 drops of the specimen.

Each kit contains:

• Test cassette
• 2 Disposable droppers
• Buffer liquid tube
• Centrifuge tube
• Instruction leaflet

You will need syringes to collect the blood. The test kit does NOT include blood collection equipment.

The test can be performed with or without a centrifuge:

• If using whole blood, you will only need a syringe.
• If using serum or plasma, you will need a syringe and a centrifuge.

1. Read the instructions carefully before starting the test.
2. Collect a blood sample from your dog (syringes are NOT included). You can use whole blood directly as a sample. Alternatively, you can centrifuge whole blood to obtain plasma or place it in a tube with anticoagulants to obtain serum. Once the sample is ready, the Heartworm test takes just 10–15 minutes to complete.
3. Prepare the test: Remove the test cassette from the foil pouch and place it on a flat surface.
4. Mix the sample: Use the enclosed narrow-tip 10-μL dropper to add 5 drops of the specimen (serum, plasma, or whole blood) into the buffer liquid tube.
   Close the tube and shake well to mix.
5. Apply the sample to the test cassette: Open the tube and use the enclosed wide-tip 40-μL dropper to place 3 drops into the S (sample) window of the cassette.
6. Wait 5–10 minutes and read the results.

The test is valid for 16 months or longer from the date of purchase.

Heartworm is a dangerous parasitic infection caused by Dirofilaria immitis, leading to lung disease, heart failure, organ damage, and death in pets. It spreads through mosquito bites, with worms settling in the heart, lungs, and blood vessels.

Heartworm in Dogs

Dogs are natural hosts, allowing the worms to mature and multiply. If untreated, they may carry hundreds of worms, causing severe heart and lung damage. Prevention is key, and early treatment is critical. Symptoms include:

• Persistent dry cough
• Lethargy and weight loss
• Swollen belly
• Breathing difficulties

Heartworm in Cats

Cats are not typical hosts, and most worms do not reach adulthood. However, even immature worms can cause heartworm-associated respiratory disease (HARD). Prevention is the only protection. Symptoms may include:

• Coughing and vomiting
• Weight loss and appetite loss
• Difficulty walking, fainting, or seizures
• Sudden collapse or death in severe cases

How Heartworm Spreads

Heartworms are transmitted only through mosquito bites and do not spread directly between pets or to humans.