THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF UTAH
4242 SOUTH 300 WEST
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84107-1415
(801) 261-2919 phone • (801) 261-9577 fax
www.utahhumane.org
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PRESS RELEASE
RELEASE DATE: Immediately (March 3, 2008)
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Pauline Edwards • (801) 261-2919 ex. 201
HUMANE SOCIETY OFFERS SPECIAL ON HEARTWORM TESTING
Starting tomorrow, March 4th, and continuing through the end of the month, the Humane Society of Utah will be offering heartworm tests for dogs at a special price of only $15 per dog instead of the regular $21 fee at the Society's clinic, if at the same time the animal’s caregiver also purchases a one-year’s supply of Tri-Heart heartworm preventive medication. Prices for this medication range from $14 to $31 for a six-month supply, depending on the dog’s weight.
The HSU clinic, located at 4242 South 300 West, is open from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM Tuesday through Friday and 9:00 AM to noon on Saturdays for this service, and no appointment is necessary.
Heartworm is one of the most deadly parasites that can infect dogs, and, if left untreated, leads to extreme suffering and eventual death of the host animal. Until recently the disease was almost unheard of in Utah, but over the past few years, transmitted by mosquito bites, it has rapidly spread to nearly every part of the state. It is occurring with increasing frequency in this area, according to the Humane Society’s veterinarians. "We had a dog come in who tested positive for the parasite, and he had never been out of the state," says Clinic Director Pauline Edwards. "We’re going to be seeing it more and more often here. Now is the time to start getting dogs tested and put on medication. As the weather warms up, mosquitoes will become active, and they are the vectors that carry the disease to dogs."
Heartworm disease is difficult and expensive to cure once a dog contracts it, but it is extremely easy to prevent pets from becoming infected in the first place. Once the animal is tested to be sure he or she does not already harbor the parasite, the good-tasting Tri-Heart chew tablet is administered once a month.
For more information, please call the HSU clinic at 261-2919, ex. 230.
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