Dogs with heartworm disease are at risk for developing irreversible organ damage. Staff from Carolina Veterinary Specialists describe what dog owners should expect during their dog’s heartworm treatment in this article.
When an infected mosquito bites a dog, it can inject a parasitic worm called dirofilaria immitis into the dog’s bloodstream, which is how heartworm is transmitted. Heartworm cannot be transmitted from one host dog to another and is not contagious; it only spreads through mosquito bites. Heartworm has been reported in all 50 states, but it is particularly prevalent between New Jersey and the Gulf of Mexico, as well as along the Mississippi River and its major tributaries. Do not make the error of assuming that this means the risk of contracting heartworm is low.
The worms will develop into adults, mate, and produce young while residing inside the heart, lungs, and blood vessels of your pet if it is bitten by an infected mosquito.
Step One: Pre-Adult Heartworm TreatmentOnce your dog is diagnosed with heartworm disease, your veterinarian may recommend a course of antibiotics, heartworm preventives and steroids before beginning the actual adult worm treatment. Antibiotics may be prescribed because a bacterium found living inside the heartworms — Wolbachia — is thought to contribute to an inflammatory response within the body. When the heartworms die, they release the bacteria into the dog’s body. Researchers believe the presence of Wolbachia may cause the body to mount an immune response that could worsen not only the heartworm disease but also the lung and kidney inflammation seen in dogs with this condition. For this reason, many veterinarians begin treatment by prescribing doxycycline, based on promising results from published studies of doxycycline use in dogs infected with heartworms. Since the heartworm treatment only kills adult worms, veterinarians may prescribe a monthly heartworm preventive to kill the smaller larvae before initiating adult heartworm treatment. The administration of corticosteroids at the same time as the antibiotics and heartworm preventive also helps reduce inflammation.
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Slowly but surely, she returned to this world, and her leg seemed to be getting better. She gradually resumed eating and returned to being herself. We’re still unsure as to whether the GI upset was a reaction or simply a result of her stress from spending so much time in the hospital, but it cleared up in a week (thanks to Metronidazole).
Her recovery from the first injection went fairly smoothly; she was extremely sleepy and disoriented and slept for the majority of the day. Her leg seemed a bit sore too. She was bright and alert the next day and eager to play, but she was unable to. This time, we were under much stricter exercise restrictions that included only short leash walks until her subsequent two treatments. She most likely believed that we were the worst, most unfair parents ever. How dare we not go for an evening stroll up the street? If only I could speak to her.
The “moxi-doxy” protocol is a newer treatment option that is still being researched. The way it works is your dog is on an oral antibiotic called Doxycycline for 30 days and you begin applying a specific heartworm preventative, Advantage Multi, once a month at home. Over time, the heartworms are killed usually within a few months. Most specialists recommend avoiding strenuous activity for the first few months of treatment.
Callie’s brain was kept busy by all of these puzzle toys, but they didn’t replace the need for exercise. At the very least, it reduced her frustration and anxiety because I rotated these so that she received something new every day. However, since they aren’t exercising, giving your dog too many treats could result in weight gain (in Callie’s case, it did; we simply had to increase our exercise after everything was said and done). ).
You don’t want this, I say as a pet owner who has experienced it. Callie has missed out on many adventures due to the extensive treatment regimen, which has cost us more than $1,500, and there is a chance that it will cause long-term damage to her. Don’t miss or skip a dose of your dog’s monthly heartworm preventative; schedule it in your calendar. Talk to your veterinarian about re-testing the dog for heartworms if you’re rescuing one.
Are heartworms more common in certain areas of the United States?
Although heartworms have been discovered in all 50 states, some regions are more at risk than others. Large areas, like those near the Atlantic and Gulf coasts and along river tributaries, are among some very high-risk areas. Most states have “hot spots” where the rate of heartworm infection is significantly higher than it is elsewhere in the state. Climate (temperature, humidity), local mosquito species, the presence of mosquito breeding grounds, and the presence of animal “reservoirs” (such as infected dogs, foxes, or coyotes) are all factors that affect the risk of contracting heartworm.
FAQ
How long does heartworm treatment take for dogs?
Heartworm disease is treated with a series of drug injections that kill the worms over the course of at least 60 days.
How long does a dog need to be confined after heartworm treatment?
It will be imperative to keep your dog quiet from the first injection until six to eight weeks after the last injection. All exercise and activity that would raise your dog’s heart rate or blood pressure must be strictly limited, so
Is heartworm treatment painful for the dog?
Adult heartworms are killed during treatment by administering a very potent arsenic-based medication. This medication can cause injection site reactions in some patients and is painful to administer.
How long does it take for heartworms to dissolve after treatment?
After treatment, the heartworms slowly decompose over several weeks. Your dog will start phase two to get rid of the young heartworms three to four weeks later. After that, regular checkups and testing continue, and a heartworm preventative medication will be given to your dog friend.