Treatment & Recovery From Heartworm Disease

Heartworm disease has been diagnosed in all 50 states, though it is more prevalent in the southeastern United States. It is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. Treatment for this disease includes the injection of an adulticide or the administration of medication that kills the larvae.

  1. Diagnosis

    • Treatment for heartworm disease begins with diagnosis. The most common test used for diagnosing heartworm disease is an antigen test. This test uses a small amount of blood and tests for the presence of antibodies.

    Adulticide Treatment

    • Depending on the severity of the disease and the health of the patient, treatment will consist of the administration of an adulticide, which is compromised of two injections, separated by 24 hours, into a specific muscle in the back.

    After Care

    • After adulticide treatment, the dog will be kept in a confined area while the worms die and are broken down and absorbed by the body. There is a risk of shock as well as pulmonary embolism during this period.

    Recovery

    • After one week, the dog will be released to its owner to go home with strict instructions on restricting exercise and activity that will ramp back up to normal levels over a period of time. No other restrictions are required.

    Oral Ivermectin

    • If the dog is debilitated or the worm burden is large, a veterinarian can opt to administer oral ivermectin. This medicine will kill any larvae circulating in the system until the adult worms die off naturally. This process takes longer, but it is less stressful on the dog. The same restrictions and after care is instituted.