Heartworm disease is a serious, potentially fatal condition that occurs in dogs. Treatment for heartworms involves injecting medication into the canine that causes the worms to die. An important component in treating heartworms is the aftercare you provide your dog, with keeping your dog calm, relaxed and quiet at the top of the list. According to the veterinary website petplace.com, as the heartworms die, they have the potential to break off and block your animal̵7;s arteries. This can lead to a pulmonary thromboembolism, which is the obstruction of blood flow to the lungs, also called pulmonary infarction, which can be fatal.
Things You'll Need
- Crate
- Leash
- Sedative
Instructions
Keep your dog in a crate, if possible. Dr. Mike Richards from vetinfo.com suggests that dogs stay in a crate̵2;if they are quiet inside̵2;for three to four weeks after treatment. As long as the animal is content in the crate, this will keep him calm and restrict exercise and movement. Only allow your dog to come out of the crate to use the bathroom.
Take your dog outside on a leash when he needs to eliminate. Per Dr. Richards, this should only occur three to four times a day. Keeping your dog on a leash will ensure his restricted activity as he cannot run around.
Sedate your dog, if necessary. While this is not the best way in which to keep your dog quiet, it can be used if it is absolutely needed. Sedatives can cause cardiovascular problems when used, which is dangerous for dogs with heartworms. However, if your veterinarian believes it is more of a risk that your dog is active, the vet may prescribe the sedative.