Heartworm Heartache

Kelsey Mae

   This last month we have treated 4 dogs for heartworms-Iris the rat terrier, Winslow the Yorkie, Bizzie the jack mix, and Slade the Malamute.  Iris, Winslow and Bizzie are "little dogs" and not what you would typically think would have heartworms.  They are usually not outside much but it only takes one mosquito to infect them.  This is why they must be on heartworm preventative meds. 
   This week Cadence the Momma Great Dane, Kelsey Mae the chow mix and Dreyfus the Blue Tick Hound came up positive and will be treated. Cadence is nto nursing the pups anymore so she can be treated soon.  Kelsey had to wait a week to try to get more weight on.  We are going to do the slow treatment on her since she is older and the risks are much greater.  She probably has had them for a long time also.  Dreyfus will be treated soon. 
   When a dog is treated for heartworms they receive injections of imiticide.  There are different protocols.  The injections are given in the deep muscle on the back and it is very painful.  The imiticide kills the adult heartworms.  As they die hopefully they disolve and there are no problems.  This is why the dog has to be very quiet with minimal exercise.  Out to go potty and back.  No running around.  If the heart pumps hard the worms can break off and become in a blood vessel lodged like a blood clot in a stroke. The dog suffers a stroke or heart attack and can die.  The imiticide can also make them really sick.  It hurts when the injections are given and if they don't hold still or jump it is extremely painful.  After a month the dog is given a dose of ivermectin which kills the larvae in the blood.  They can have a terrible allergic reaction to the ivermectin.  Monthly heartworm meds have to be given each month to prevent them from getting infected again. 
   The imiticide had been unavailable for several months due to the manufacturer not producing the med. 
Luckily the imiticide is available again and we are receiving it.  In the hundreds of dogs we have treated we have been very lucky.  Knock on wood.  One beagle did have what seemed like a stroke after treatment but he bounced back.  Two very small dogs did die.  One was a small older chi.  The other was a small chi mix who had a reaction to the medication.
   All of this could have been prevented with one heartworm treatment a month.  If you would see the treatment the dogs have to endure first hand it would make you a believer. Bizzie, Iris and Winslow are almost done with their treatment and they are doing great.  Then the next batch begins.  Keep your fingers crossed.