Heartworm disease, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, is one of the single-most devastating yet preventable diseases facing dogs today. It has been documented in all 50 states, with the highest concentration in the southeast United States. Heartworms have been diagnosed in all types of mammals including dogs, cats, wolves, foxes and even humans, though dogs have the highest infection rate. Prevention is the key to keeping your dog healthy; however, treatment is possible.
Things You'll Need
- Oral ivermectin
Instructions
Obtain a diagnosis. Dogs are routinely tested for heartworm disease as part of their annual checkups. A simple antigen blood test is performed to determine whether or not the antibodies for heartworm disease are present. If they are, the indicator will turn blue and the dog will be diagnosed as having heartworm disease. A second test will screen the blood for the presence of microfilariae, or immature heartworm larvae.
Begin treatment. After a dog has been diagnosed with heartworm disease and the severity of the infection has been evaluated, the veterinarian will recommend a course of treatment. Two injections can be given that will kill the adult heartworm load, or the dog can be given oral ivermectin that will kill any circulating microfilariae and allow the adults to die off naturally. In mild to moderate cases, the injection route is generally chosen; however, when the worm load is heavy or the dog is in bad health, the more conservative method is chosen to avoid shock.
Institute a regimen of cage rest. In either scenario, the dog must be kept quiet during treatment to avoid pulmonary embolism from the passage of dead worms through the circulatory system. This period of activity restriction will generally be administered in a hospital setting as circulatory shock can also occur during this period. Both situations can be fatal if immediate medical attention is not garnered. The period of cage rest will depend on the severity of infection and the overall health of the dog. This process may last several days or several weeks.
Monitor the dog for signs of improvement. Exercise intolerance will improve, albeit slowly. The coughing should begin to subside and the dog should perk up a few weeks after treatment. For many weeks after treatment, the dog's exercise level should be limited, though increased slowly. This will prevent any remaining worms that have not yet disintegrated to create clots and allow the heart and circulatory system to recover. Slow conditioning should help. The dog should be fed and watered normally throughout the treatment process to keep the body supported and focused on healing. Dogs that have had prolonged exposure to active heartworm disease may develop congestive heart failure and need to begin treatment to control the progression of the disease.
Begin a prevention regimen. After successful treatment, the dog will begin an oral ivermectin preventative medication that he will take every month for the rest of his life. This will prevent re-infection and kill any remaining microfilariae.