Affordable Treatment for Heartworm
Heartworm disease, left untreated, can be fatal to your beloved canine companion. Yet in a tough economy, it may be difficult to come up with the cash for everyday necessities, let alone heartworm treatment for Fido. However, heartworm medications don't have to cost you a lot.
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Definition
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Heartworms are parasites that can be transmitted to your dog by mosquitoes. Heartworm disease is prevalent in the United States, so many veterinarians recommend preventative treatment for dogs. When a mosquito carrying the heartworm larvae bites a dog that isn't on heartworm preventative, the larvae gets into the blood stream, incubates and eventually makes its way to the heart and lungs, where it reproduces.
Early Stage
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The treatment for early stage heartworm disease is different than that used for late-stage disease. Ivermectin, a compound found in many heartworm preventative medications, has proven effective at killing immature heartworms over time and preventing them from becoming adults and reproducing. If your dog has been diagnosed with very early heartworm disease, you may use monthly medications in which the active ingredient is Ivermectin, such as Iverhart Max. On the Lambert Vet Supply website, a six-pack sells for $32.55
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Adult Stage
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Once heartworms have reached the adult stage, infected dogs must be treated with a drug called Immiticide, which contains arsenic. The idea is to basically poison the heartworms. Arsenic will cause your dog some problems, as well. It will be painful, so your dog may require a pain reliever. Dogs need a total of four shots of Immiticide. This treatment can range from a few hundred dollars to upwards of $1,000, depending on various factors, such as individual veterinarian pricing and the type and amount of painkiller administered. Still, this is pretty inexpensive compared to the treatment for the most severe version of the disease.
Severe Heartworms
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The last stage of heartworm disease is called Class Four disease. Dogs in this condition may need surgery to remove the heartworms manually. This can be expensive. In addition, the prognosis for dogs at this stage tends to be poor.
Considerations
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The need for veterinary care often arises unexpectedly, catching pet owners off-guard and without savings. Many veterinarians will accept payments over a period of time from established clients. Additionally, companies like Care Credit allow individuals with good credit to obtain a line of credit specifically for medical use. Care Credit can be used for veterinary care of a pet.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit dog image by Michal Tudek from Fotolia.com
