July 2006
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61 Reads
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12 Citations
In 2005, a heartworm survey was sent out to over 25,000 veterinary practices by the American Heartworm Society, in cooperation with Merial. Responses were received from more than 12,000 veterinary clinics, and based upon these responses, more than 250,000 dogs in the US tested positive for heartworms in 2004. These numbers were up slightly from 244,000 positive dogs noted in a similar survey, with a similar response rate, performed in 2001. Although response rate was high, the survey data accounts for less than one-half of the total veterinary clinics in the United States. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) reported that, of the 61.6 million dogs in the US, 51.5 million (83.6%) are seen by veterinarians at least once a year.1 Furthermore, according to polls by Gallup2 and B&R Tracking3, heartworm disease preventives are only dispensed to ~58% of dog-owning households, a 8% decline from the 66% dispensing rate reported in 1998. The information on non-reporting clinics in the 2004 survey, AVMA data on dogs never seen by veterinarians, and decreased preventive dispensing, would indicate that heartworm disease is likely a much more significant issue than the AHS/Merial heartworm survey numbers indicate. Both the 2001 and 2004 heartworm surveys were performed to increase awareness and provide a tool for client education. They were intended to illustrate the need for heartworm disease prevention for pet owners and veterinary staff. While useful as an education tool, these surveys underestimate the prevalence of canine heartworm disease. These survey results demonstrate a need for continued, consistent and aggressive heartworm education. Future practitioners and veterinary technicians, current practitioners, clinic staff, and pet owners, all need education and awareness to decrease the real number of heartworm positive dogs in the US.