The bite of an infected mosquito can transfer the larvae of a heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) to a dog or cat. Heartworms can grow into 10- to 12-inch adults in the pulmonary artery and right heart. The worms block the pulmonary arteries and thus decrease the oxygenation of the blood, creating a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that takes months to treat. A blood test can confirm the presence of heartworm, indicated by symptoms such as coughing, exercise intolerance and fever. Ivermectin, sold as Heartgard and Iverheart, treats this disorder. Less severe cases of heartworm do not require surgery and respond better to drug treatment.
Instructions
Dogs
Give the dog an ivermectin pill by mouth monthly to kill microscopic larvae (microfilaria) of the heartworm. This interrupts the life cycle of the heartworms and kills them slowly.
Give the dog doxycycline, an antibiotic, by mouth for a month to kill Wolbachia, a parasite found with heartworms.
Take the dog to a veterinarian, who can administer melarsomine dihydrochloride (Immiticide) after two to three months of ivermectin treatment. This drug is injected deep into the muscles and kills the most sensitive adult worms.
Keep the dog on cage rest for a month to prevent harm from the dying worms creating clots in the bloodstream.
Return the dog to the vet a month after the first shot of Immiticide for an additional shot, as well as a third shot 24 hours later.
Keep the dog on cage rest for another month.
Test the patient for heartworms six months later and annually thereafter.
Cats
Give the cat an ivermectin pill monthly to kill immature larvae and microfilaria.
Give the cat docycycline antibiotics for a month.
Continue monthly ivermectin treatments. Your vet may also prescribe steroids to control inflammation.