-
Step 1
Take your dog for a blood test, if you suspect they have heartworms. The blood test determines if your dog has heartworms, and your vet may then need to perform x-rays or further blood work to determine the severity of the infection.
-
Step 2
Set up an appointment for the first part of the treatment. Your vet attempts to kill the adult worms in your dog with one of two different chemical treatments. Both of these contain arsenic, which cause the worms to die.
-
Step 3
Keep your dog rested during all phases of the treatment. After the first phase, the dead heartworms clot in the blood stream, so your dog should not exercise or get excited until the heartworms pass through the system.
-
Step 4
Return for the second part of the treatment a few weeks later. Your vet uses drugs to kill the microfilariae. Your dog stays a few days at the vet so they can be monitored and then sent home.
-
Step 5
Consider surgery to get rid of heartworms in a very old dog. The medicines used to rid your dog of heartworms could potentially kill an older dog whose immune system isn't strong.
-
Step 6
Have your dog tested for heartworms a few weeks after the treatment. If they test negative, start them on heartworm preventative immediately. If they test positive, you must retest them again, since it can take 6 months for the dead heartworms to leave the system.
Comments
krystalbraswell said
on 7/11/2009 please sum 1 help me i have to dog that were just diagnosed with heartworms and i cant pay 4 the treatments and im scared to try these home remides and if there is n e 1 who has had n e luck with home remedies please help me