{"id":998,"date":"2014-07-01T23:50:42","date_gmt":"2014-07-01T23:50:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/phosdev.com\/todaysveterinarypractice\/?p=998"},"modified":"2022-02-16T15:44:36","modified_gmt":"2022-02-16T15:44:36","slug":"heartworm-hotline-key-findings-from-the-2013-american-heartworm-society-survey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/parasitology\/heartworm-hotline-key-findings-from-the-2013-american-heartworm-society-survey\/","title":{"rendered":"Key Findings from the 2013 American Heartworm Society Survey"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Stephen Jones, DVM, Lakeside Animal Hospital, Moncks Corner, South Carolina, President, American Heartworm Society<\/em><\/p>\n

Every 3 years, the American Heartworm Society<\/strong> (AHS) conducts a nationwide survey of veterinarians to study trends in heartworm incidence. The latest survey reflects data from more than 4,300 veterinary clinics and shelters, representing 3.5 million patients.<\/p>\n

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The Heartworm Hotline<\/span><\/strong> column is presented in partnership between <\/span>Today\u2019s Veterinary Practice<\/span><\/strong> and The American Heartworm Society (heartwormsociety.org). The goal of the column is to communicate practical and timely information on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of heartworm disease, as well as highlight current topics related to heartworm research and findings in veterinary medicine.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although heartworm infection is highly preventable, it remains one of the most common diseases veterinary professionals work to prevent, diagnose, and treat. Hundreds of thousands of cases are diagnosed every year. It is estimated that more than a million dogs nationwide are heartworm positive.<\/p>\n

Every 3 years since 2001, the American Heartworm Society (AHS) has conducted a nationwide survey of veterinarians to study trends in heartworm incidence. The survey information is used to inform both the veterinary profession and the public about the need for heartworm prevention.<\/p>\n

The latest survey, released in March 2014, utilized 2013 heartworm testing data. These findings reflect data from more than 4500 veterinary clinics and shelters, representing 3.5 million patients. Participating veterinarians also answered questions about heartworm trends in their practice areas.<\/p>\n

HEARTWORM INCIDENCE SURVEY FINDINGS<\/strong> <\/span><\/h2>\n

While a number of data points were included in the 2013 Heartworm Incidence Survey, the key takeaway is simple: heartworm disease is essentially everywhere in the U.S. (Figure 1<\/strong><\/span>). Heartworm cases were identified in all 50 states, and 3 out of 4 veterinarians diagnosed patients as heartworm positive during 2013.<\/p>\n

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Heartworm incidence calculations were based on the average number of cases diagnosed per veterinary practice. Within most areas, human population numbers were in proportion to the numbers of heartworm-positive dogs: If human population numbers were high, heartworm-positive dog numbers were also high; whereas, the number of heartworm cases in areas with sparse populations were low, with average incidence rates of one case per clinic or less. These areas appear in white on the AHS Heartworm Incidence Map (Figure 1<\/span><\/strong>).<\/p>\n

GEOGRAPHICAL TRENDS IN HEARTWORM INCIDENCE<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

While the top 10 states with the highest average rate of heartworm-positive cases per clinic have not changed since the 2010 survey, the order has changed, with Alabama replacing Louisiana as the state with the highest number of cases reported per clinic (Table<\/span><\/strong>).<\/p>\n

Heartworm incidence historically remains highest in the southeastern quadrant of the U.S. However, relatively high incidence rates were reported in areas less well known for heartworm risk, including the upper Midwest, especially Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Arizona, and California.<\/p>\n

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Influence of Weather & Economy<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

AHS survey administrators analyzing the data believe the differences between 2010 and 2013 could be attributable, in part, to 2009 weather patterns. The summer of 2009 was cooler in many areas of the country, and drought conditions existed in others, leading to a decrease in local mosquito populations.<\/p>\n

In addition, economic factors related to the U.S. recession were believed to have altered patient testing patterns.<\/p>\n

Differences Among Locales<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Significant variation in the rates reported among adjacent counties, communities, and even neighboring practices was noted in 2010. It was not uncommon for a county with several practices to report 100 heartworm-positive patients, while the neighboring county practices consistently reported no cases of heartworm infection. In 2013, the data were more consistent among practices in the same counties and adjoining counties.<\/p>\n

Despite the variations in map presentation, the overall incidence of heartworm in the U.S. has not measurably decreased because areas of high incidence had an increased number of cases than in previous years.<\/p>\n

FACTORS INFLUENCING HEARTWORM TRENDS<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Veterinarians who supplied heartworm data were also asked questions regarding trends in heartworm incidence, prevention use, and treatment protocols within their practices (Figure 2<\/span>). These questions accentuated the following trends.<\/p>\n

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Importance of the Disease<\/strong> <\/span><\/h3>\n

Of the veterinarians surveyed:<\/p>\n