Realizing that your dog has been infected with heartworm disease can be a scary experience. Although our main goal is prevention, once your dog has been infected, our biggest concern is acting as soon as possible to avoid complications and extensive damage to your pet’s health.
What Kind of Treatment Exists for Heartworm Disease in Dogs?
The first step in treating Heartworm Disease is determining the stage of the disease, we do this with blood tests and x-rays. There are multiple drugs approved by the FDA to treat heartworm disease when it’s in the first three stages. Once heartworm disease has developed to the fourth stage with Caval Syndrome, surgery is the only form of treatment. Unfortunately, treatment will be an expensive endeavor and will be difficult on your dog’s health.
What Are the Medicines Called?
• Melarsomine dihydrochloride – Arsenic-containing drug approved by the FDA designed to kill adult heartworms. It’s administered by deep injection in the dogs back and treats dogs in stages 1, 2 and 3.
• Advantage Multi for Dogs – Designed to get rid of microfilariae in the dog’s bloodstream. Usually administered the first few months after mosquito bite, this topical solution is applied to the dog’s skin.
Keep in mind that treatment will require constant veterinarian visits, injections, blood tests, and x-rays to monitor progress. Treatment in some cases may be toxic and can cause serious life-threatening complications like blood clots.
Call Your Veterinarian to Learn More About Treatment or Prevention
We understand this disease can be difficult for both you and your furry best friend. Although treatment can be difficult, extending your dog’s quality of life can be a decisive factor in seeking treatment. All dogs are different and will react to treatment in a different way. If you have any questions about treatment or would like to protect your dogs from this disease, call your veterinarian today.
