heart worm question

Hi, while trying to save money, I ordered heart guard and frontline from an on-line place.To make a long story short, my vet dragged their heels about getting the prescription to them, and now for the first time since I have had her, she is a month late with the stuff. Not the flea stuff, the heart worm med. So, my question is, do I now need to have an expensive blood test done to make sure she does not have heart worm? Or can I just give her the dose. It is quite frustrating and I am sure if I ask my vet they will want to make the money and tell me to have the test. Thanks for any advice.

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

It would be best to have the test.  There are veterinary vaccine clinics offered at popular pet food chain that may also offer the heartworm test less expensively.

Please ask your veterinary clinic if they offer a price match with online pharmacies so that you can purchase pet medications at the same price as the online pharmacies at you local veterinary clinic.  Many veterinary clinics do offer this service.