How to Treat Heartworm in Dogs

Heartworm disease is caused by the infestation of a parasitic worm called dirofilaria immitis. These worms reside in the heart of dogs, blocking valves and clogging arteries. Heartworms can range from 6 to 14 inches long in female dogs, though the worms are usually half that size in male dogs. A dog can have as many as 300 of these parasites living in their heart, plus an untold number of their young, called microfilaria, circulating through the blood stream. Having Heartworm is not only uncomfortable for your dog, but it can also be fatal, so treatment is very important. If you suspect that your dog has been infected, learn how to treat heartworm in dogs.

Instructions

1. Recognize the symptoms of heartworm. If your dog develops a chronic cough that is soft and dry, nervousness, shortness of breath, listlessness or general weakness, these are all signs that the animal could be infected with heartworm. Dogs typically have heartworm for years before any physical symptoms appear, so they should not be treated lightly when they do appear.

2. Diagnose the condition as early as possible. If your dog is showing symptoms of being infected by heartworm, ask your veterinarian to perform a blood test as soon as possible. The blood test is the most effective way of confirming heartworm in dogs. If the test results are positive for heartworm, further diagnostic assessments may be required to determine if your dog is healthy enough to survive the treatment for heartworm disease.

3. Administer drugs to kill heartworm. Your veterinarian will be able to inject special drugs into your dog that will target and kill the heartworm. It is possible for a dog to die as a result of this treatment, although such instances are more rare now that modern medicines have been developed that do not contain arsenic. The heartworm can be successfully treated in 95 percent of cases. In the case of chronic infestation, the dog may not be able to withstand the treatment to kill the heartworm. In this event, the only measure the veterinarian can take is to treat the damage caused to organs by the lack of blood flow. Dogs in this category typically do not survive more than a few months due to the excessive damage done by the parasite.

4. Enforce a one to two month rest period for your dog after the treatment has been administered. Rest is an essential part of the treatment, particularly during the first week after the injection, which is the most critical time. As the heartworms die, they break up into the blood stream and are transported to the lungs. You will notice that your dog’s cough is much more pronounced during this period. The first month after the injection is a delicate time for your dog and rest should be absolutely mandatory. Do not allow your animal to exercise or play for one to two months following the injections.

5. Administer a second treatment to kill the microfilaria in the blood stream. Approximately one month after the injection to kill heartworm, your dog will need to return to the veterinarian to receive a second drug that will target the microfilaria. This usually requires an overnight stay at an animal hospital to monitor the dog’s condition.

6. Give your dog antibiotics. The healing period following these drugs is a time when your dog’s life is in danger. Your dog’s condition may change in an instant, so it is important to give the animal as much help as possible to ensure a healthy recovery. Your vet will most likely prescribe antibiotics to aid in your dog’s recovery. Follow all instructions given and your dog’s chances of survival will be greatly increased.

7. Take preventative measures to stop a future heartworm infestation. There are multiple drugs that can be administered to prevent your dog from being infected by heartworm a second time. There are daily chewable tablets, monthly chewable tablets and an injection that lasts for 6 months. Discuss the available options with your veterinarian to determine which preventative measure is best for your dog. You should also take measures to eliminate the mosquito population around your home, since the microfilaria are transmitted from dog to dog by way of the mosquito.

Tips & Warnings

• Dogs typically have heartworm for up to 5 years before they begin to exhibit physical symptoms. Because dogs are usually in the advanced stages of heartworm disease before symptoms are present, it is important that you do not waste any time before you begin treatment. If any form of a chronic cough develops, ask your vet to perform a blood test immediately.

Resources

• Canine Heartworm Disease