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Heartworm Rapid Test for Dogs and Cats
€7,95
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Product details
Home diagnostics · Dog and cat
HW Ag – Heartworm Antigen Rapid Test
Heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) is a parasite transmitted by mosquito bites that settles in the heart and pulmonary arteries. It can go without symptoms for a long time, and the first signs – coughing, tiring easily – often only appear once the infection is advanced. This rapid test detects heartworm antigen in a blood sample from a dog or cat.
Pathogen detectedHeartworm (CHW/FHW) antigen
SampleFresh whole blood, serum or plasma sample
Result5–10 minutes (invalid after 15 minutes)
In the boxTest cassette, capillary dropper, buffer vial, instructions
You will also needA lancet for blood sampling, a clock or timer
MethodLateral flow immunochromatography
Storage4–30 °C, protected from light, do not freeze
For use inDogs and cats
Accuracy – manufacturer validation
Compared with ELISA as the reference method, on 300 samples:
Sensitivity96.00%
Specificity98.33%
Agreement97.40%
Source: validation data from the manufacturer (Chongqing Safvet Biotech Co., Ltd.). Instructions for use (PDF)
When is the test recommended?
- Coughing, tiring easily, exercise intolerance on walks
- Every year in spring, before mosquito season – by then infections from the previous season are also detectable
- When a new dog or cat arrives whose prevention history is unknown
- For animals that spend a lot of time outdoors or live in rural or waterside areas
- Before starting preventive treatment, as a baseline check
How does it work?
-
1
Take a fresh blood sample – serum or plasma can also be used. No lancet is included in the box; blood sampling is best left to a vet.
-
2
Using the capillary dropper, add 3 drops of sample to the buffer vial, close it and shake to mix.
-
3
Add 3 drops of the mixed sample to the sample well (S) of the cassette and read the result between 5 and 10 minutes, at 15–30 °C.
Reading the result
Positive
Heartworm antigen detected. Even a faint T line is positive. Contact your vet for confirmation and a treatment plan – without treatment the infection can cause serious heart and lung damage.
Negative
No antigen detected. In cats, because there are typically only a few worms, the antigen test is more often falsely negative – if symptoms persist, ask your vet for additional tests.
Invalid
No control line, so the result cannot be interpreted. Repeat with a new cassette and a new sample.
When should you test again?
- Every year in spring, before mosquito season and the start of preventive treatment
- If preventive treatment was missed or paused
- If coughing or exercise intolerance appears despite a previous negative result
Good to know
- According to ESCCAP (European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites), heartworm antigen appears in the blood approx. 6–8 months after infection, so the test cannot yet detect a recent infection.
- The test detects heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) antigen. It does not detect the subcutaneous worm (Dirofilaria repens), which also occurs in Central Europe; for that, your vet can perform a Knott test or PCR.
- In cats, because of the low worm burden, a negative result does not definitively rule out infection.
Source: ESCCAP Guideline 05: Control of Vector-Borne Diseases in Dogs and Cats
Knowledge base – further reading
Related rapid tests
- Lyme Ag – tick rapid test — testing a removed tick
- FIV/FeLV 2-in-1 rapid test — for annual screening of cats
- Giardia Ag rapid test — a hidden cause of recurring diarrhoea
Important information
A rapid test is a pre-screening tool: it gives you a quick indication but does not replace a veterinary examination. Always contact your vet if the result is positive.
Single-use test; do not reuse. Every sample is potentially infectious – wear gloves. For veterinary use on animals only.
Storage
- Storage temperature: 4–30 °C
- Store protected from light
- Do not freeze
Shipping
- Shipping €15 – free on orders over €150, applied automatically, no discount code needed
- Orders placed by 2 pm (CET) are dispatched the next working day; Packeta delivers within 2–5 working days
- 30-day returns on unopened products – details
Manufacturer and distributor
Manufacturer
Chongqing Safvet Biotech Co., Ltd.
5/F, Building A, Jinshan Commercial Center,
No. 2 Saidi Road, Yubei District,
Chongqing, China
Importer and EU responsible person
Endstone Group Kft. (trading as MancsLab)
Kossuth Lajos út 47.
2161 Csomád
Hungary
info@mancslab.hu
- Product type: in vitro diagnostic device for veterinary use
- Batch number (LOT) and expiry date: printed on the packaging and the test cassette
- Single use only. Do not reuse. Dispose of the used test with household waste.
- For use on animals only. Not for use on humans.
The rapid test is a pre-screening tool and does not replace a veterinary examination. If the result is positive, contact your vet.