Description

Qualitative Detection of Dirofilaria immitis Specific Antigens

Test applicable to: Dog & Cat

Samples: Whole Blood, Serum and Plasma

FASTest Heartworm Ag is a rapid immunochromatographic test for the detection of Canine-Feline Dirofilaria immitis infection in the whole blood, serum or plasma of dog, cats and other mammals.

Heartworm or the parasitic worm Dirofilariosis is usually found in warmer climates such as South America, America (middle and southern regions), Eastern Asia and also the Mediterranean including Italy, Spain and Greece. Cases have also been found in Switzerland.

A primarily disease in dogs, the Heartworm parasite can infect other species; however, diagnosis of Heartworm in cats is more complicated. This is due to low prevalence, vague clinical symptoms and scarcity of circulating antigens, which makes FASTest HW Ag for cats a more accurate and convenient method for the prediction of microfilariae infections.

FASTest Heartworm Product Information – PDF Download

Why Test?

Why is it important to test for Heartworm Ag?

Dirofilaria immitis is the main cause of Heartworm in dogs and cats. A small filarial nematode whose immature stages are transmitted by mosquitos to animals. Adult heartworms are usually found living in the heart and large blood vessels adjacent to the animal’s heart. Although Heartworm is normally found in dogs, it can also infect cats, ferrets and other mammal’s, especially canine related species.

Symptoms

What are the symptoms of Heartworm?

Signs of Heartworm can vary from animal to animal. Not all symptoms appear on the onset of the infection but can take years to develop.

Mild signs of Heartworm are tiredness, the animal becomes uninterested and unable to cope with strenuous exercise. Some animals may also develop a cough.

Advance and more aggressive infections can result in heart failure, respiratory damage and damage to the lungs and liver.

Symptoms of Heartworm can include:

Breathing difficulties
Coughing
Coughing with blood present
Wheezing
Abdominal swelling due to fluid accumulation
Fatigue
Weight loss
Poor overall condition of the animal

It may be possible to treat Heartworm with medication but this is often expensive and is difficult to treat in the later stages of the disease.

Advantages

Advantages of FASTest HW Ag

Store at Room Temperature – tests are instantly available for use
Smaller 10 test kit available
Result in 10 minutes
Long Shelf Life – typically 18 months
Simple test procedure with no ‘snapping’ required
Competitively priced

Instructions For Use & Fact Sheet

FASTest Heartworm (HW) Instructions For Use

Feline Heartworm Fact Sheet

Additional information

Weight	108 g
Dimensions	13 × 9 × 8 cm

FASTest Heartworm Ag