The treatment for heartworm disease takes
at least 60 days
to complete and consists of a series of drug injections that kills the worms.
How often should I give my dog heartworm medicine?
Because heartworms must be eliminated before they reach this adult stage, it is extremely important that heartworm preventives be administered strictly on schedule (
monthly for oral and topical products and every 6 months or 12 months for the injectable
).
How long can a dog live after heartworm treatment?
Dogs in this advanced condition have a life expectancy of only
a few weeks or months
. Thankfully, a new medication has been developed for killing adult heartworms while having fewer dangerous side effects.
Do dogs need heartworm medicine every month?
If at the initial test, your dog is found to have heartworms, treatment will be needed before prevention can begin. However,
if your dog is in the clear, he can be started on monthly medication to protect him from the disease.
Does heartworm treatment shorten a dog's life?
This treatment does not actually kill the worms, however
it does decrease their lifespan
; keep in mind, however, that the average heartworm can live six years, so shortening that lifespan could still mean your dog having a heartworm infection for four more years.
What is the success rate of heartworm treatment?
A new drug is available that does not have as many side effects, allowing successful treatment of
more than 95%
of dogs with heartworms. Many dogs have advanced heartworm disease at the time they are diagnosed.
How many days does Heartgard last?
Heartgard has the active ingredient ivermectin in it. Ivermectin has a half-life of 2 days in the dog. That means 1/2 of the drug is eliminated from the body in 2 days. So at most it is active for
4 days per month
.
Can my dog jump on the couch after heartworm treatment?
There is no reason to allow running, jumping, or other physical activity at any time for 8 weeks after the start of the injectable heartworm adulticide treatment
.
How often do I give my dog NexGard?
NexGard is a tasty beef-flavoured chew that provides flea, tick and mite protection for dogs. NexGard protects dogs against brown dog ticks, bush ticks and the potentially deadly paralysis tick. NexGard should be given
monthly all year round
in areas where paralysis ticks are found.
Is heartworm damage permanent?
Even if heartworm infection is treated, we all know
it does serious, permanent damage to the body
. This in-depth look at that damage will renew your commitment to consistent prevention recommendations for your veterinary patients.
Can heartworm come back after treatment?
Approximately 6 months after treatment is completed
, your veterinarian will perform a heartworm test to confirm that all heartworms have been eliminated. To avoid the possibility of your dog contracting heartworm disease again, you will want to administer heartworm prevention year-round for the rest of his life.
Can a dog live a long life with heartworms?
Some dogs live with heartworms for a long time with little to no outside indicators of infection
, especially if they don't have many heartworms. That said, heartworms have a lifespan of five to seven years, so unfortunately they have plenty of time to wreak havoc on your dog's system.
Can you skip a month of heartworm medicine?
What if my pet has missed a month of heartworm prevention? The simplest answer to those who miss a month of heartworm prevention is to
give the dose immediately and restart the monthly preventative schedule
.
Is heartworm medication necessary year-round?
That's one reason
veterinarians often recommend that pets receive heartworm prevention medication all year long
. Although there are a fewer number of mosquitoes in the winter, there is still a risk that an animal could contract heartworms if the owner stops giving medication during this season.
How long does heartworm treatment take?
The treatment for heartworm disease takes
at least 60 days
to complete and consists of a series of drug injections that kills the worms.
Should I adopt a heartworm positive dog?
Not every aspiring pet owner is equipped to provide the extra care a special-needs pet requires; however,
with proper treatment, heartworm-positive pets can be excellent candidates for adoption
.
Are heartworm injections painful?
The only product currently available for the treatment of adult heartworms is melarsomine dihydrochloride (immiticide). During treatment, the patient receives an intramuscular injection deep in the lower back muscles.
This is a painful injection and it is common for the patient to be quite sore at home afterwards
.
How much does it cost to treat a dog with heartworms?
The average cost of heartworm treatment for dogs is often around $1,000. However, it can range from
$500 to $1,100
or even more depending mainly on the size of your dog, veterinary bills, and the stage of the disease.
How do I keep my dog inactive during heartworm treatment?
Try a game of stationary catch or use a clicker to train him to follow quiet commands while he's in his crate
. Keeping your treated dog calm and quiet is one of the most important responsibilities a pet owner has during heartworm treatment.
How long does it take for heartworms to dissolve after treatment?
Once treated, the heartworms die slowly and begin to dissolve, taking
several weeks
. Three to four weeks later, your dog will begin phase two to get rid of the baby heartworms.
What happens if my dog misses a month of heartworm?
A dog who has missed just two monthly doses of preventative or is late for a heartworm injection
can become infected with heartworms
.
What happens if you miss a month of NexGard?
Simply give them a new dose and make sure to give them their next dose 30 days later. If you missed an entire month of coverage,
your dog may not have had any of the medicine in their system
. Without that protection, there is always a chance your pet could have contracted a heart worm.
What happens if you give your dog two heartworm pills in one month?
If it was Heartgard, there is no cause for concern
. It is an extremely safe product and very difficult to overdose. If it was a different preparation of ivermectin, a double dose may not be cause for concern unless your dog is sensitive to it or carries the MDR1 gene.
Can I walk my dog during heartworm treatment?
Most dogs can be safely leash-walked during the treatment recovery period
and providing appropriate chew toys can help relieve some of that stored up physical energy.
Why is my dog panting after heartworm treatment?
The injections are given within the muscle and can indeed be uncomfortable, but the inflammation that develops within the days following creates the most discomfort.
Restlessness, panting, trembling and reduced appetite can all be signs that the dog is uncomfortable
.
Can dog climb stairs after heartworm treatment?
Strict rest is imperative for 6-8 weeks. This means that your pet can be leashed walked outside to urinate and defecated, but must come back inside to rest.
Do not allow your pet to run, jump, climb stairs
, or play rough with other dogs or children.
