Canine heartworm disease is caused by the bite of an infected mosquito. All dogs are susceptible, regardless of breed, age, sex, color or lifestyle.
Your dog can die of heartworm disease without treatment.
What Is Heartworm Disease and What Are the Symptoms in a Dog?
Heartworms are worms which live in the heart and blood vessels of the infected dog. These worms can cause heart failure with symptoms such as coughing, exercise intolerance and a bloated abdomen. Heartworm disease can prove to be fatal for the infected dog.
Canine Heartworm Disease Treatment
The treatment for heartworm disease involves the use of a medication known as Immiticide® (melarsomine). Immiticide® works to kill the adult heartworms that live in the heart.
Immiticide® is injected in lumbar (back) muscles and is administered in either a series of two or a series of three injections.
- When two injections are used, they are administered 24 hours apart.
- When three injections are used, the first injection is administered, followed in one month by two injections administered 24 hours apart.
- The two injection method is recommended only for those dogs with a mild, uncomplicated case of heartworm disease. For dogs with more serious heartworm disease, the three injection protocol is recommended.
- Many veterinarians use the three injection protocol exclusively for any dog infected with heartworms and suffering from heartworm disease. This is because the three injection protocol kills the heartworms more slowly and has less potential for side effects.
In addition to the Immiticide® injections, other medications may also be part of the treatment protocol for canine heartworm disease.
- Many veterinarians recommend beginning ivermectin prior to the Immiticide® injections to kill the microfilaria (the larval form of the heartworm that circulates in the blood stream). When ivermectin is administered to a dog infected with heartworms, the dog needs to be observed carefully for side effects and complications. Your veterinarian may recommend hospitalizing your dog for at least several hours after the ivermectin treatment.
- Doxycycline may also be recommended before, during and/or after the course of Immiticide® injections. This is controversial but doxycycline is thought to kill an organism known as Wohlbachia which can infect the heartworm itself. Some researchers believe that Wohlbachia contributes to the severity of the side effects of heartworm disease treatment.
- Other medications such as corticosteroids or other anti-inflammatory medications are sometimes used during the course of the heartworm disease treatment also. However, their use is controversial.
- Pain medications are also sometimes given during the course of heartworm disease treatment because the Immiticide® injections can be painful for some dogs.
It is essential for your dog to remain quiet and confined during and after the heartworm disease treatment to minimize the risk of complications. In most cases, your dog will need to be confined for at least 6-8 weeks.
Potential Side Effects of Heartworm Disease Treatment in Dogs
As the adult heartworms in the heart die, they can embolize (be moved through the blood stream) to the lungs where they can cause significant disease, including pneumonia. This is the most serious risk of heartworm disease treatment and it can be a fatal complication.
Side effects which are possible with with heartworm disease treatment include:
- pain and irritation at the Immiticide® injection site
- fever
- coughing and/or gagging, possibly even coughing up blood
- depression
- lack of appetite
- difficulty breathing
- panting
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- drooling
Though it is possible to treat heartworm disease in dogs, treatment can be dangerous for your dog and expensive for you. Fortunately, heartworms can be easily prevented.
Photo courtesy of wolfsavard/Flickr.com
