Heartworm Treatment Cost: Average Vet Prices & Ways to Save

Heartworm treatment is a multi-step process, and the bill adds up from testing, staging, medication and follow-up care. Where you go changes the price more than almost anything else. A nonprofit low-cost clinic and a private practice can quote very different totals for the same diagnosis.

The estimates here were last checked Oct 11, 2026. Treatment decisions depend on your dog's condition, so talk to your veterinarian about the plan and ask for a written estimate that lists each step.

WebVet separates the cost by the kind of clinic:

A private veterinary practice runs $1,000 – $3,000, while a nonprofit low-cost clinic runs $225 – $2,000. The low-cost range starts well below private pricing, but it also reaches a high figure, so a nonprofit clinic does not guarantee a small bill for every dog.

The total is built from several parts:

• Antigen test: $35 – $75 to confirm the diagnosis.
• Staging diagnostics: $200 – $450 for chest x-rays and bloodwork, which help the vet assess your dog before treatment.
• Doxycycline and steroids: $40 – $190.
• Melarsomine injection series with hospitalization: $500 – $1,500, usually the largest line item.
• Caval syndrome surgery: $3,000 – $6,000, which applies only in the most severe cases.

The surgery line is described as the worst case, so it is not part of a typical total. It is shown so you understand how high the top of the range can go.

Nonprofit clinics can lower the price. Emancipet, a nonprofit veterinary network, publishes a flat treatment price based on the dog's weight:

Treatment at Emancipet costs $225 for a dog of 2 to 20 pounds, $325 for 21 to 40 pounds, $425 for 41 to 60 pounds and $495 for dogs over 60 pounds. Check what each price includes, since a flat price may not cover every test or follow-up. Availability and eligibility depend on the location.

If cost is a concern, ask your own veterinarian whether they can refer you to a low-cost clinic or a rescue program. Do not skip or delay treatment to save money.

Published estimates differ by source:

WebVet lists $1,000 – $3,000, while PetMD lists $600 – $3,000. The difference may come from which clinics each source surveyed and which parts of treatment it counted. A dog's size, how advanced the infection is and whether hospitalization is needed also change the total.

• Clinic type. Private practice and nonprofit clinics price differently, as shown above.
• Dog size. Medication and some charges scale with weight.
• Severity. Dogs with advanced disease may need more testing and care.
• Hospitalization. The injection series often involves a stay, which adds to the bill.
• Follow-up. Rechecks and repeat testing are separate from the treatment itself.

• Get a written estimate and ask which items are included in the price.
• Ask about payment plans or third-party financing before you start.
• Check whether a nonprofit or low-cost clinic near you offers treatment.
• Ask your insurer what is covered. Many policies exclude pre-existing conditions.
• Talk to your veterinarian about prevention for your dog after treatment, since prevention is generally cheaper than treatment.