Treating heartworms in dogs typically involves a multi-step process, and it’s important to work closely with a veterinarian to ensure the best outcome. Here’s a general overview of how the treatment usually goes:
1. Initial Diagnosis
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Testing: Your vet will first perform tests like the antigen test (which detects adult female heartworms) and a microfilaria test (which checks for heartworm larvae in the blood).
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X-rays or Ultrasound: These might be done to assess the extent of the infection and the damage caused to the heart and lungs.
2. Stabilization and Pre-Treatment
If the dog is showing symptoms of heartworm disease (like coughing, fatigue, or difficulty breathing), your vet might recommend stabilizing the dog first before starting heartworm treatment. This often involves:
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Steroids or other anti-inflammatory medications to reduce swelling and inflammation in the lungs.
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Antibiotics like doxycycline to treat Wolbachia bacteria, which live within heartworms and can cause complications when the worms die.
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Pre-treatment blood tests to assess the dog’s overall health and organ function.
3. Adulticide Therapy
The main treatment for heartworm disease in dogs involves killing the adult heartworms. This is done with an injection of melarsomine (brand name: Immiticide). The treatment is given in two or three injections:
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First injection: The dog receives the first shot in the muscle, typically between the shoulder blades.
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Second injection: A second injection is given 24 hours later.
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If more severe cases are involved, a third shot may be given after 30 days.
During this time, the heartworms begin to die, and the body must safely remove them.
4. Exercise Restriction
After the melarsomine injections, strict exercise restriction is crucial for at least 4-6 weeks. This is because the dying worms can break apart, and if the dog is too active, it may cause a pulmonary embolism (a blockage in the lungs) or other complications.
5. Follow-up Care
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After the treatment, the dog will undergo follow-up testing, including blood tests and potentially an X-ray, to check if the heartworms have been eliminated.
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Another round of treatment or supportive care might be needed if there are remaining worms.
6. Prevention Going Forward
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Heartworm prevention: Once treated, your dog should be on a monthly heartworm preventive (like ivermectin or milbemycin oxime) to ensure no further heartworm infections occur. The vet will likely continue this preventive for the rest of the dog’s life.
Key Considerations:
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Cost: Heartworm treatment can be expensive, especially if the infection is severe. Costs for testing, medications, and follow-up care can add up.
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Health risks: Although effective, the treatment can carry risks, such as damage to the heart and lungs from the dying worms.
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Severity: If the heartworm infection is severe (e.g., involving a large number of worms), treatment may be riskier and more difficult. Severe cases might require more intensive care and monitoring.
The earlier heartworms are detected, the better the chances of a full recovery with fewer complications, so regular check-ups and prevention are key. If you suspect your dog may have heartworms, definitely get in touch with your vet as soon as possible!
