How Much Does Heartworm Treatment for Dogs Cost?

Heartworm disease in dogs has been rising in the U.S., according to the American Heartworm Society. In 2001, about 800,000 dogs tested positive. But by 2022, that number had grown to 1.2 million. 

Heartworm disease is a serious condition that can harm your dog’s heart, lungs, and other organs. It can lead to heart failure and long-term damage. Without treatment, the effects can be severe and lasting.  

Heartworm treatment can be expensive, but prevention is simple and effective. Giving your dog preventative medication and scheduling regular vet checkups can help protect your pet and save money. 

If your dog is past the prevention stage and tests positive, treatment involves a series of medications and may require restricted activity to avoid complications. The process can take several months and often comes with a higher cost. 

What is heartworm in dogs?

Heartworm is a serious and potentially fatal disease caused by parasitic worms (Dirofilaria immitis). These worms live in the heart, lungs, and blood vessels of infected dogs. 

Heartworm cannot spread directly from dog to dog. Instead, it is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. 

Once inside the dog, heartworms grow and reproduce. It can take anywhere from 6 to 9 months for larvae to develop into adult heartworms, which can live for up to 7 years. Adult heartworms can limit blood flow and lower the amount of oxygen in blood, leading to life-threatening symptoms. They can damage vital organs over time. 

Heartworm stages

Heartworm disease has three stages. Symptoms and treatment options vary based on severity. The later the stage, the more invasive and costly the treatment becomes.

• Mild disease: Little to no symptoms. The dog may have a mild cough and appear tired.

• Mild to moderate disease: Symptoms can include coughing, reluctance to exercise, decreased appetite, difficulty breathing, and weight loss.

• Severe disease (caval syndrome): This is a life-threatening stage. Symptoms include heart and lung damage, abdominal swelling, dark urine, anemia, and cardiovascular collapse due to blocked blood flow. Surgery is required to remove adult heartworms.

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How much does it cost to cure heartworm in dogs?

Treating heartworm disease in dogs can range from $500 to $6,000. The cost depends on factors such as your dog’s size and how serious the infection is. 

Treatment typically involves multiple veterinary visits, diagnostic tests, medications, and sometimes hospitalization. 

Here’s a breakdown of common costs associated with heartworm prevention and treatment.

If your dog needs further treatment, ask your vet for a detailed list of potential costs after they review your pet's condition. This will help you plan ahead and avoid unexpected expenses.

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Prevention is much more affordable and can help you avoid these higher costs. It includes taking your dog to regular checkups and giving them monthly heartworm medications and an injection every 6 or 12 months. However, your dog must undergo several tests before receiving the medication. It is prescription based, and you cannot buy it over the counter. 

Always talk to your veterinarian about the best approach for your pet’s needs.

Factors that influence the cost of heartworm treatment

Several factors can affect the cost of heartworm treatment: 

• Vet location: Prices can vary based on where you live. Some cities with a higher cost of living may have higher vet costs than others.

• Dog size: Heartworm medication dosages are calculated based on your dog’s weight. This means heavier dogs will have higher medication costs. But it can also affect other aspects of treatment, such as anesthesia for surgery or diagnostic tests.

• Diagnostic heartworm tests: Antigen and microfilariae tests are regularly scheduled when treating heartworms. These tests are taken before and after treatment to monitor your dog’s progress and confirm the heartworms are killed. Depending on how often and which test your dog takes, your costs may increase.

• Type of treatment: Oral medication, injections, or surgery can treat heartworm. The type of treatment your vet recommends will depend on your dog’s current condition. Oral medication is the least expensive treatment. But it may not be able to fully treat heartworms. If your dog requires surgery, you can expect to pay more.

• Follow-up testing: After heartworm treatment, your vet may require your dog to take additional diagnostic heartworm tests. These tests will look for any remaining adult and larvae heartworms. Depending on your dog’s condition and the amount of heartworms still present, hospitalization, further medication, and possible reinjection of melarsomine (a heartworm medication) may be necessary. 

• Complications: Your dog may have heart and lung complications such as pulmonary thromboembolism (a blockage in the lungs) or anaphylactic shock when many heartworms die all at once. These complications can be life-threatening and require immediate hospitalization, specialized care, or additional treatments. They can all add to your total cost. Monitoring your dog closely during treatment and following your vet’s care plan can help reduce the risk of severe complications.

Does pet insurance cover heartworm treatment costs?

Pet insurance coverage for heartworm treatment and preventative medication depends on the insurance provider. Treatment isn’t usually covered. Preventative medication is considered a part of routine care and is not always covered. In addition, treatment will not be covered if your dog had pre-existing conditions before you became insured.

Preventative care may only be offered through wellness add-on or preventative care plans. For example, MetLife Pet Insurance’s standard insurance policy covers heartworm treatment. But it doesn’t cover heartworm prevention unless you also purchase their preventative add-on plan. Because their preventative plan is an optional add-on, expect to pay extra to be covered. MetLife’s policy will reimburse you for the cost of heartworm treatment, and their preventative add-on plan will help cover the cost of parasite prevention. 

Spot Pet Insurance has a similar pet insurance policy for heartworm treatment. Their standard dog health insurance plan (called accident and illness) covers and will reimburse you for the cost of your pet’s treatment. However, they will only cover heartworm preventative medication under their wellness add-on plan. To enroll in Spot’s wellness add-on plan, you must also purchase one of their base plans to receive routine and preventative services.

Since pet insurance coverage varies, it’s important to review your plan to understand what is and isn’t included. Each provider has different policies. So knowing the details can help you choose a plan that covers heartworm treatment and preventative care.

Ways to save on heartworm treatment costs

Here are several ways to save on the cost of heartworm treatment: 

• Price-shopping different veterinarians: Heartwork treatment costs can vary quite a bit depending on the clinic, location, and expertise of the veterinarian. Check out multiple clinics to get the best deal in your area.  

• Payment plans: If you can’t afford the full cost of heartworm treatment upfront, ask your veterinarian about payment plan options. Many clinics allow you to spread the cost over several months to make it more manageable.

• Vet school clinics: Some veterinary school clinics offer heartworm treatment at lower rates. Veterinary students treat dogs under the close supervision of licensed veterinarians. You can find participating schools through the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges.

• Crowdfunding: Online platforms like Waggle and GoFundMe can help you set up a fundraiser to raise money for your dog’s heartworm treatment. These platforms allow friends, family, and even strangers to contribute donations to support your pet’s care.

• Grants from nonprofits: Some nonprofits, like Red Rover, offer grants to low-income households to help with costly pet medical treatments. If your dog’s condition meets their criteria, you could receive up to $250 toward necessary medical care.

• Annual checkups: Regular checkups with your vet can help detect heartworms early. This can reduce the severity and cost of treatment.

You can’t use a health savings account or a flexible spending account for pet care expenses. But you can create a separate savings account or sinking fund for your pet’s health expenses. Regularly setting aside money for pet care can help you manage unexpected veterinary bills and ensure your furry friend gets the care they need.

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Written by:

Manfred Sy

Manfred Sy has worked as a canvasser for county elections, a research analyst in the background-checking industry, and a private tutor. Research and education have always been his focal points, and he hopes to continue to contribute in both areas.

Edited by:

Charlene Rhinehart, CPA

Charlene Rhinehart, CPA, is a personal finance editor at GoodRx. She has been a certified public accountant for over a decade.

Reviewed by:

Ghanasyam Bey, DVM

Ghanasyam Bey, DVM, is from Cleveland, Ohio, and attended Princeton University for undergraduate studies. After a year of biology research at Duke University, he attended Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine.

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