Cure for Heartworms

Some signs that a dog may have heartworms are fatigue, dry cough, coughing up blood, heavy breathing, an enlarged abdomen, and pulsation of the jugular veins in the neck. Don't wait until the advanced signs are apparent. Blood tests and yearly exams of dogs at the veterinarian's office help find early traces of heartworms in a dog, making it easier to treat the animal successfully .

  1. Immediate Treatment

    • If a dog is positive for heartworms, activities such as chasing balls, running after children, and excessive play should stop. Monthly heartworm prevention medication should be started and continued throughout treatment. The first dose of heartworm prevention medicine is necessary to kill a large number of heartworm larvae and is always given to a dog that is positive for heartworms.

    Other Medications Required

    • Doxycycline, an antibiotic, should be administered during the first month of treatment. Available as a prescription from a veterinarian, Doxycycline kills off an organism within heartworms called wolbachia, which then kills adult heartworms. Reactions such as vomiting and diarrhea are possible, and you should keep an eye out for these symptoms. Contact the veterinarian immediately, so that he can administer Cortisone or Prednisone for any allergic reactions.

    Two Month Follow-Up Treatment

    • Physical exam and blood work are repeated, as well as x-rays. Immiticide is administered to kill adult heartworms living in the arteries of the lungs. Another dose of Prednisone may be administered, and the dog may be required to stay at the veterinary clinic for two days. Rest and physical activity restrictions should still be followed for a month.

    Continued Treatment

    • After 90 days, another hospital stay may be required, lasting three days. Follow-up testing would be done, as well as additional injections of Immiticide. At this visit, two injections of Immiticide are given to kill off adult heartworms, followed by an injection of Prednisone to control lung inflammation. At the four-month check-up (or day 121), limited activity is allowed. Heartworm prevention medicine throughout treatment and permanently thereafter is strongly recommended. After six months, a repeat heartworm test is administered by the veterinarian.