Heartworm Testing for Dogs Going to New Zealand: The Age Exemption and SNAP Test Trap

TLDR: New Zealand requires an ELISA blood test for heartworm for all dogs 6 months of age or older, completed within 30 days of shipment. Dogs under 6 months are exempt from the blood test but must have the required preventative medication instead. New Zealand accepts a SNAP test for heartworm, but only if it is performed at an MPI-approved laboratory. A SNAP test run at a local vet clinic will be rejected at the border.

There are two distinct traps in this requirement. The age exemption catches owners of young dogs who draw blood when they should not. The SNAP test trap catches everyone else who assumes a familiar in-clinic test will be accepted.

Who Needs a Heartworm Test for New Zealand?

The ELISA blood test for heartworm is required for all dogs 6 months of age or older. The test must be completed within 30 days of shipment.

Dogs under 6 months of age are exempt from the blood test. For dogs in this age group, the required preventative medication must be administered instead. Do not draw blood for a heartworm test on a dog under 6 months old. The test is not required and should not be performed.

What Is the SNAP Test Trap?

New Zealand accepts a SNAP test for heartworm as a compliant test format. The SNAP test is an ELISA-based rapid test that many veterinary clinics use routinely for heartworm screening. The fact that New Zealand accepts it makes it sound like a convenient option.

The catch is that New Zealand only accepts a SNAP test if it is performed at an MPI-approved laboratory. A SNAP test run at a local veterinary clinic, regardless of how it is documented, will be rejected at the border. The location where the test is performed determines whether the result is valid, not the test format itself.

Why Does the Lab Location Matter?

New Zealand's import requirements specify that certain tests must be performed at approved laboratories to be accepted. For heartworm, the MPI-approved laboratory requirement applies to SNAP tests specifically.

A SNAP test performed at a local vet clinic may produce an accurate result, but it will not be accepted by New Zealand border authorities regardless of accuracy. The test must be performed at an MPI-approved laboratory to count. Confirm with your veterinarian or relocation coordinator which laboratories are MPI-approved before scheduling the test.

What Should You Tell Your Vet Before the Heartworm Test?

Before your vet performs the heartworm test, confirm two things. First, confirm that your dog is 6 months of age or older. If your dog is under 6 months, the blood test should not be performed and preventative medication should be administered instead.

Second, if a SNAP test will be used, confirm that it will be performed at an MPI-approved laboratory. If your vet intends to run the test in-clinic, the result will not be accepted at the New Zealand border. A standard ELISA blood test performed at an approved laboratory is the most straightforward way to avoid this issue.

What Preventative Medication Is Required for Dogs Under 6 Months?

Dogs under 6 months of age must have the required preventative medication in place of the blood test. Confirm the appropriate preventative medication with your veterinarian before travel.

Heartworm testing for New Zealand has two failure points that are easy to miss, and both are avoidable with the right preparation. If you want help making sure your dog's heartworm testing is scheduled correctly and performed at the right facility, our team manages the full process. Get a free quote to start planning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my dog need a heartworm test to travel to New Zealand?

Dogs 6 months of age or older require an ELISA blood test for heartworm within 30 days of shipment. Dogs under 6 months are exempt from the blood test and must have the required preventative medication instead.

Can my vet run a SNAP test at their clinic for New Zealand heartworm compliance?

No. New Zealand accepts SNAP tests for heartworm but only if the test is performed at an MPI-approved laboratory. A SNAP test run at a local veterinary clinic will be rejected at the border regardless of the result. Confirm that any SNAP test is performed at an MPI-approved laboratory before scheduling.

What happens if blood is drawn for a heartworm test on a dog under 6 months old?

The blood test is not required for dogs under 6 months and should not be performed. Dogs in this age group must have the required preventative medication instead of the blood test. Drawing blood for a heartworm test on a puppy under 6 months is an unnecessary step that does not satisfy any New Zealand import requirement.

How close to the travel date does the heartworm test need to be completed?

The ELISA blood test must be completed within 30 days of shipment. Schedule the test close enough to the travel date to fall within that window but with enough lead time to receive results and confirm compliance before departure.