2016 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

Between March 2010 and August 2015 owners of all dogs surrendered to the Oregon Humane Society filled out a short questionnaire relating to their dogs' histories. This questionnaire was used to determine the eligibility of each dog for this study. Criteria for inclusion in the study included that the dogs: (1) had been in the possession of the surrendering party since they were 6 months of age or younger; (2) were at least 12 months of age; (3) had no history of travel outside of the state of Oregon; and (4) were never administered heartworm preventative. Dogs that did not meet all four of these criteria were excluded from the study. Additional information gathered from the records included breed, age, sex and spay/neuter status, location (by zip code), and the average number of hours the dog spent outdoors. If a dog did meet the study criteria then blood was drawn and tested for the presence of D. immitis using a commercially available ELISA test (IDEXX Snap 4Dx Plus).