 Terrier Club Pet_Care Forum
Heartworm Treatment?
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Sherrie
 
May 16, 2006 at 15:36
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Heartworm Treatment?
I found out today that my little terrier mix, Sophie, is heartworm positive, after having had a false negative reading when we rescued her. If anyone rescues a stray from the southern states, in particular, please be aware that the dog should be re-tested in 6 months, despite a negative heartworm test. Does anyone have experience with treating dogs with heartworm, ideas to make this next month easier would be appreciated.
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Lynda and the Minkies
 
May 16, 2006 at 15:51
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Re: Heartworm Treatment?
Sorry to hear this, Sherrie...I've heard it's a pretty long-winded process. Good luck.
XXX.
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Claire, Heidi & Glen
May 16, 2006 at 15:56
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Re: Heartworm Treatment?
Sherrie,
Georgia just posted in the last couple of weeks about successfully treating heatworm in her latest foster. I am sure she would be able to give you some good info.
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john / irene Maxwell
 
May 16, 2006 at 16:45
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Re: Heartworm Treatment?
We are so sorry We wish Sophie well with her treatment
john / irene Maxwell
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Katie & the Gang
May 20, 2006 at 10:13
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Re: Heartworm Treatment?
Sherrie, I'm fostering a young cairn who's being treated for heartworm. There is a new protocol that should be used. I'll try to reconstruct, but I'm out-of-town, so I may need to wait till I get back to send the exact details. The old protocol was to give two injections two days in a row, wait 30 days, give one injection, then oral Ivermectin 30 days after that.
The new protocol is to give one injection the 1st time, wait 30 days, then give the two injections, and then I think the oral Ivermectin 30 days after that.
With the old protocol, the 1st two injections are arsenic and the follow-up injection is Ivermectin.
The important thing is to keep them as quiet as possible for 60 days. They should be kept crated and only taken out on a leash to potty. If they do well, my vet says it's OK for them to have a LITTLE more activity, but not much.
The injections kill the worms, and then the worms have to work their way out of the body. There are two concerns. One is that the dead worms will clump up and cause a clot in the heart or lungs. It is CRITICAL to try to keep the dog's heart rate down for the 60 days after the treatment. My vets said that the sort of excitement such as barking at passersby, chasing after squirrels, playing with other dogs, etc., is what you need to avoid, not a brief rise in heart rate while taking the dog out to potty. Some dogs also have allergic reactions to the dead worms, so that's another reason they need to be kept quiet.
Some coughing after treatment is normal, and it's not unusual for them to temporarily lose their appetite. Danny was not interested in eating for about 3-5 days starting 3-4 days after his first treatment. He was still drinking, and I did manage to get him to eat some by mixing Nutri-Cal in with his food. You should watch for excessive panting and coughing up blood.
If you don't know already, find the location of the nearest emergency vet clinic and practice how to get there.
Please feel free to email me at cairnrescuehvn@aol.com if you have questions or need support. I'm thinking about starting a heartworm support list on yahoo, I found fostering a dog being treated for heartworm the first time to be a little nervewracking, not knowing what to expect and not knowing what was normal or not.
Danny is doing very well after his 2d injection. Good luck with Sophie and please keep up posted!
Cairn Rescue League
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Lynda and the Minkies
May 20, 2006 at 13:52
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Re: Heartworm Treatment?
It's very worrying, isn't it ? And so easily prevented too...
XXX.
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Sherrie
May 20, 2006 at 14:27
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Re: Heartworm Treatment?
Katie, thank you so much. I have emailed you directly.
Sherrie and Sophie
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