Heartworm society to conduct nationwide survey

San Antonio, Texas - The American Heartworm Society intends to survey more than 40,000 veterinary clinics and hospitals this summer to record the number of dogs diagnosed and treated for heartworm disease as part of the group's three-year plan to increase awareness heartworm awareness.

American Heartworm Society President Dr. Sheldon Rubin announced plans for the comprehensive survey June 5 at the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Forum in San Antonio. The survey is being funded through a corporate sponsorship and will be sent to veterinary clinics, as well as being available online.

The last survey addressing the number of canine heartworm cases was conducted in 2004. This survey will focus on 2007 figures, and the American Heartworm Society says it plans to conduct another study in 2010.

"Collecting and recording the incidence of heartworm disease fits with our mission to be the global resource for heartworm disease information," Rubin says. "We hope conveying the severity of this disease through actual numbers will help veterinarians encourage year-round prevention with pet owners and eventually move towards eradicating this easily preventable disease."